Picture on a Wall

The River

2012-02-13T10:44:00.018-05:00

The River
Channel: ABC
Date/Time: Tuesdays @ 9pm, Eastern Time
Creator: Oren Peli & Michael R. Perry

We are introduced to a family whose father, renowned explorer Dr. Emmet Cole, played by Bruce Greenwood, has gone missing in the Amazon. His son Lincoln, played be Joe Anderson, meets up with his mother six months after his father went missing, who proposes that they return to the Amazon, where Lincoln spent much of his childhood, to continue the search for his father. His mother Tess, played by Leslie Hope, despite the length of time since their last communication with his father, and despite having just gone through the memorial service in his honor, suggests that Emmet must still be alive since his emergency beacon just went off.

Dr. Cole was renowned for his television series about the adventures he'd go on in the great outdoors, the Amazon in particular. Lincoln and Tess experienced the intense nature of the business and Lincoln mentions that although he knew his father loved him, at a certain point in his life, he felt his father loved what he was working on more, and seemed to pull away from Lincoln when he needed him. Despite the resentment, Tess and Lincoln had great love for Emmet, and we will discover how far they will go to find him.

Emmet's former producer, Clark, played by Paul Blackthorne, agrees to pay for any expenses on this expedition, as long as he can film the adventure in a documentary-type filming style. The newly developed team consists of Lincoln, Tess, Clarke, Lena (Lincoln's childhood friend), played Eloise Mumford, the captain and mechanic Emilio, played by Daniel Zacapa (along with his teenage daughter), and bodyguard Captain Kurt Brynildson, played by Thomas Kretschmann.

What was Emmet looking for? In videos the group discovers, Emmet was in search of some source of magic, and they glimpse the other-worldly matters he was in his continued search for. In one film bit, he's in front of a fire, amidst the jungle, with natives surrounding him, cross-legged, and is holding fire - physically holding fire in his palms. He looks to the camera in awe - you could see both the amazement, reverence, and desire for more in his eyes.

Strange things start occurring when the crew discovers Emmet's boat, and they unintentionally unleash something into the surrounding jungle. So much happens in this first episode: violence, lies, discovery, magic, spirits etc... I'd rather not give much of it away and suggest you check it out for yourself.

Now why though, with all this, would you stay in the Amazon with all the craziness that's going on? While some may say that they'd find a way out, it's not so simple. If someone you loved dearly were missing, in an unknown condition, and there was a chance you could find them, rescue them, would you give it a shot, as dangerous or eerie the circumstance? With some of the freaky circumstances they encounter, one could also ask how the crew stays on board with the idea. While there's always a skeptic, there's less a sense of disbelief in the crew, and more a desire to capture phenomenon on film that will bring them success.

I WILL tell you that someone dies in the first episode... you have to watch to find out who!

Two fun facts:

1) This show is by the creator and director of the Paranormal Activity series, Oren Peli, along with the co-writer of Paranormal Activity 2, Michael R. Perry.

2) According to an interview on WMMR, a local radio station here in Philadelphia, the idea for a Paranormal-type TV show was brought up by Stephen Spielberg (who is a producer for the show) in a meeting with Oren! It was Oren's first experience meeting the great film maker, with Stephen mentioning that he enjoying the movie and asked if Oren had ever thought about turning the idea into a television series.

There were so many progressions in the first episode, I was uncertain as to how the series could continue, however, there are 6 more episodes left for now, and the preview of the upcoming season seen last week was amazazazazing (Yes, just made up a word).

I give the season premiere four and a half of five frames!

Here's a promo and what had me spellbound:

Did you check out the premiere? Will you check it out? Email me or post on our facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/j1studios AND go to the site to browse more reviews.

Danae signing off!

source: imdb.com; youtube.com, wikepedia.com

2012 ComiCinema

2012-02-09T21:57:00.005-05:00

Hey there readers! Guess what! We have ourselves a guest writer this week. He is a very knowledgeable young man by the name of Doug Beaver. He is more up to date on movies that are based on comic books than either Danae or I would ever hope to be. I trust his opinion on these things. So read on to see what he has to say about the upcoming comic book centered movies.

2012 ComiCinema
By Doug Beaver

There are a ton of movies that are going to make 2012 a much better movie year than 2011 turned out to be: this year, we can look forward to The Hobbit, The Woman In Black, Casa de mi Padre, The Hunger Games, Expendables 2, MIB: III, Prometheus, Brave, and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, among others.

And then there are this year’s comic book movies, or “ComiCinema”. There are really only five that stick out this calendar year; one immediate-looking bomb, one that may not qualify for the category and three others that will compete for this year’s top spot. Here they are in order of anticipated box office:

5. Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance
Some questions come to mind: Why was this made? What is Nick Cage even doing in the Marvel Universe when he was formerly auditioning to be the man of steel in a failed Superman movie? Why not go balls-to-the-walls with the “Marvel Knights” brand films?
All the PG-13 Rating does for Ghost Rider is water down the potential for great content, and guarantees an “Unrated Blu-Ray Edition” when it arrives in stores. The Punisher movies have also been a disappointment (though they carried the R-Rating) because the grittiness and darkness they were trying for just felt forced. Marvel Knights could learn a lot from the only great Punisher film, 1989’s “The Punisher” starring Dolph Lundgren; that is a classic that can really be credited as a forefather of the style that Christopher Nolan has now with the latest incarnation of Batman films.
Marvel Knights has not yet produced a real hit, and it doesn’t look like this sequel to the 2007 disappointment will change that trend. The original Ghost Rider is a decent enough movie, but it did not gain a large enough fanboy following or word-of-mouth appreciation to garner this follow-up.
This movie will not make much of a splash at the box office, and unless you are a diehard Ghost Rider fan, the first time you will see this is when you switch your PS3 over to stream Netflix and see it come up under “New Releases.”

4. G.I. Joe: Retaliation
Whether to include this as a ComiCinema movie is debatable , because G.I. Joe is a trademark of Hasbro, and yet the product’s love affair with the comic book medium runs deep. Not many other franchises can claim to have been represented by DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Devil’s Due, and IDW. Therefore, it’s been included.
Though it’s technically a toy movie like Transformers, it’s not as bad as making a movie about a board game (Battleship – Really?? Don’t aliens know Liam Neeson can’t be defeated? Didn’t they see “Taken”?).
After viewing the trailer, this appears to be the opposite of what happened with the Transformers first two movies. Where the first Transformers film was really good, the second one was just shy of franchise suicide. Transformers 2 was the most incoherent piece of film garbage that made its money based on the goodwill that audiences gave it based on the original. The second G.I. Joe installment looks like it will earn its wings DESPITE the negative perception garnered after G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra, which received poor critical and audience reviews.
This movie will be a hit as long as Paramount continues a strong marketing push with The Rock, Bruce Willis, and shots of the Cobra banners flapping from the roof of the White House.

3. The Amazing Spider-Man
While many people not familiar with comics think that this is too soon, most fans of Spider-Man are optimistic about a reboot. Spider-Man is rebooted in the comics fairly often, also with multiple series happening simultaneously (There has been “Spider-Man”, “The Spectacular Spider-Man”, “The Amazing Spider-Man”, “Web Of Spider-Man”, etc.). So this is actually a good thing for Spider-Fans out there, and a good thing for a new generation of moviegoers that can relate a lot more to Emma Stone being more desirable than Kirsten Dunst.

There is no question that all comic fans will see this movie. The only thing that remains a mystery is if Andrew Garfield will be able to pull off being Peter Parker. He did an excellent job in The Social Network, but this is a different genre with the most critical fanbase, and there is A LOT of pressure to restart the franchise, as Spider-Man is easily Marvel’s most recognizable hero. If this is a “one and done” for Marvel, it could depress the whole company.

2. The Avengers
It’s time to “Make Mine Marvel” with the culmination of a set up that has been building audience’s anticipation for years. This could either be the best thing a production company has ever done, or the biggest letdown in film history (Star Wars Episode I and II included).
Pairing Joss Whedon with the characters of Thor, Iron Man, Hulk, Nick Fury, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Loki, and Captain America (aka the same guy that played The Human Torch in two other Marvel films) seems like a match made in fanboy heaven. Whedon has proven he is trustworthy with characters – but in the past those have been mostly characters he has created himself. Firefly and Buffy were both series that depended on interactions between personalities that were strong and often butted heads, so this seems like a natural fit. The only caveat that remains a question is whether Black Widow could play a bigger role due to Whedon’s historical love for strong female characters. It’s not a problem, but more of a point of intrigue.
The audience for this is also widened by the incorporation of all the characters. People that didn’t like Captain America but enjoyed Iron Man will go to see their favorite character, and vice-versa. It’s almost like all of the individual heroes’ movies get a sequel all at once. So this will definitely be the second highest grossing ComiCinema movie of the year, if not the top spot.

1. The Dark Knight Rises
For people who like their ComiCinema with a bit of social relevance, this movie hits the mark. The trailer has Anne Hathaway espousing rhetoric reserved for the self-proclaimed “99% percent.” And coincidentally enough, the Occupy Wall Street crowd was very close to the filming of one of the film’s final scenes.
Would this final act of the Dark Knight trilogy have had a different crescendo if Heath Ledger had lived? Regardless of the answer to that, Bane makes an interesting villain to close this series on. Christopher Nolan could have gone with the Riddler as an obvious choice, but Bane was selected to challenge Batman “both mentally and physically.”
The main draw to this whole series has been that it looks cool, and treats beloved characters seriously as its fans do. This great series has raised the bar for all ComiCinema, but for Batman fans this could also be a double-edged sword. What directors or actors could touch the franchise again without appearing to be meddling, or failing to live up to this new standard?
This movie will be watched and enjoyed by all audiences – including people who never see movies based on comic books. This series transcends particular audience groupings, and will probably be considered for the next Academy Awards if it even approaches the previous two films’ level of excellence.

I hope you all enjoyed our guest reviewer this week. I know I did.
Until next kids, this has been Hava (and Doug)!

Give it a Chance!

2012-01-26T21:39:00.026-05:00

Going through withdrawal! We won't hear from True Blood, Season 5 until June of 2012, the second season of American Horror Story doesn't premier until.... we don't know, they haven't started filming yet, The Walking Dead doesn't return for its 3rd season until February 12th 2012 (I believe), and Dexter just ended its sixth season (which was "meh" however the finale was AWESOME). Still have Modern Family, Community plus a few others yet I felt something was missing due to my series-watching reduction. If you initially offered me another comedy, I wouldn't necessarily be that excited as I'm watching a few already however, never judge until you at least check it out and I'm glad I did...

You NEED to be introduced to this new series, Happy Endings, which airs on ABC Wednesdays at 9:30. Currently in its second season, it is a comedy about six friends... wait wait! I know, your initial comparison, naturally, will be to the hugely popular series Friends, however, simply because there are six friends who have/had some sort of relationship between them and remain friends does not then entail that it's a duplicate. Don't numerous sets of friends maintain (or evolve) a friendship that involves a derivation of a relationship between varying parties? That certainly does not mean that each set of friends is like the other! Before we find out what's unique about this series, check out the first season's promo:

We are introduced to the set of friends by discovering that Dave Rose (played by Zachary Knighton) is left at the alter abruptly by his bride, Alex Kerkovish (played by Elisha Cuthbert). He is completely torn and his set of friends, also friends to Alex, assume that all six of them will no longer be able to hang out. Dave & Alex insist this is not the case... and so we have just one piece of the fun drama all will encounter along the way. Alex is a fun loving, sometimes very simple girl who, although flighty, maintains a business of her own. Her sister, Jane Kerkovich-Williams, (played by Eliza Coupe), is quite the opposite as an OCD-type, super achiever and is married to Brad Williams (played be Damon Wayans Jr. Yes, Damon Wayans' son, there's no denying the stark resemblance), a whipped hubby however, also a pun-throwing businessman. Their exchanges tend to be quite sweet but as Brad is married to a control freak, the need for him to exert his independence arises. Typical to this type of series, we have to have the friends who either date like there's no tomorrow and/or have to be single struggling through the fun and not-so-fun aspects of not having a companion and so we have Max Blum (played by Adam Pally), the non stereotypical gay guy as he likes sports, is a bit chunky, doesn't care much for responsibility as he simply wants to have fun. Lastly there's Penny Hartz (played by Casey Wilson), an eager to please gal who must always be at the center of attention.

Here's a pic of Damon Wayan's Jr by the way, yeah.....

The premise given could certainly fail (good plots can be bombed by bad writing or a poorly chosen cast) yet this set of "friends" cannot! The hilarious competitions, exchanges, quips and goofiness given by the whole cast is, even if cliche, laugh out loud. Ugh, I said it but it's true. In particular, Eliza Coupe, Damon Wayans Jr., Adam Pally and Casey Wilson win every time they appear. Timing is perfect, depiction of the character is more than believable, and the quick witted back an forth is on point. Example: I intended only to watch one or two episodes to give it a shot. I ended up watching seven, and the only reason I couldn't continue was because I'm old and needed to sleep.

I screeched a few times out of glee and pure entertainment - this show is brilliant. I am still catching up on all the episodes - out of the 11 or 12 that I've seen, I give this fun series a 4.5 out of 5 frames!

Go watch some episodes online and then tune in. Everyone needs to have a great laugh and this series will do it!!

Danae signing off... ;)

sources: youtube.com, wikepedia,com, imdb.com, abc.com

Reviewing while pregnant

2011-12-29T20:28:00.004-05:00

It is a well-known fact that when you are pregnant you get tired a lot. You can fall asleep at any time almost. Well, this reviewer is pregnant. You can’t imagine how hard it is to be a TV and movie reviewer when you are falling asleep at 8:00pm and waking up at 10:30pm. You are missing all of the prime shows. I miss all of my favorite shows. I have been sitting there in the midst of a great episode and boom I’m asleep. It’s rough. Thankfully I have been able to get a better grasp on this whole sleeping thing. That means I have been able to catch up on some shows I was missing.

To start, I was sleeping through or just only saw parts of my beloved Vampire Diaries. Since it went on hiatus at a ridiculously early date I have been able to catch up. The love Elena has for Stefan has persisted through some of his darkest moments this season. At the season break it seemed as if we had him back. While he wasn’t staying in Mystic Falls, he was no longer under the control of Klaus, and he had stolen all of his dead relatives that he carts around with him wherever he goes. We also learned a lot about the originals this season. It is all very interesting stuff.

A show that I got to see which I had been missing from either sleep or watching Supernatural was Grimm. I was very hype for this show when the upfronts came out and I got the glimpse of it. I must say that I am very happy with this show. I was hoping that it wouldn’t be hokey and it has delivered. The premise is that this cop is a descendent of the Grimm family. That all of the Grimm’s fairy tales were actually real and not just stories. He has the ability to see things in people. He can see who the “monsters” are. There are a lot more than you would think. Also, not always the people that you would think. The best part is the unlikely friendship between the cop and the “big bad wolf.” Yes, he does exist.

I have even been catching up on Criminal Minds. Last season was somewhat predictable in the way that they had to fake kill off Agent Emily Prentiss because of issues from her past work. I thought we were done with her. Imagine my surprise when she shows back up this season. I wasn’t okay with that. On most shows when they fake your death it takes them a few seasons before they can believably bring you back. It only took them one. It just doesn’t make sense to me. Besides that the show is just as good as ever. I like the psychological aspect of it. I love Joe Montegna. There is also something wonderful about the way that Shemar Moore’s character does stuff. I like to think of it as his justification for everything is that he is Shemar Moore. It makes things more entertaining.

Now I will be watching various and other sundry shows and desperately trying to stay awake. I will also take the advice of my fellow reviewer and watch the first season of American Horror Story. I may even see a movie or two. I have already seen Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol. A little short review on it. It is a must see. I absolutely loved the first in the series. I hated the second one. The third one was just meh. This one definitely revived the franchise and actually has me looking forward to another installment. It is worth the money. Go see it folks.

Until next time kids, this has been Hava.

TV Season Finales.. Part I

2011-12-27T10:01:00.050-05:00

American Horror Story

Channel: FX
Time: Wednesdays at 10pm

American Horror Story premiered in October 2011. We are introduced to a family who is moving into a haunted house. The family, consisting of Ben (Dylan McDermott), Vivien (Connie Britton), and their daughter Violet (Taisaa Farmiga), moved there with hopes of renewing their family structure, amidst Vivien's miscarriage and Ben's infidelity.

**SPOILER ALERT**

Moving at an incredible pace, this season was comprised of learning about all the atrocities that have occurred in the "Murder House". From a drugged-up doctor who reassembled his baby, to a gay couple murdered by "Rubber Man", the actual deaths are only a tip of the whole story. It doesn't take long for Vivien in particular, to notice that strange things have been occurring in the house, along with the discovery that the realtor who sold them the house failed to reveal most of the previous monstrosities. Not long into the season, Vivien gets pregnant. Yet, her marriage with Ben continues to be strained by his dishonesty and continued relationship with previous patient, Hayden. Much of Vivien's distress due to the ghosts, are attributed by Ben to be due to Vivien being unstable, potentially from the pregnancy/hormones etc... Along with the broken marriage, a valid question one could ask would be, "If the house is haunted, why not just move out?". My thoughts exactly! Their reasoning is, as Vivien is pregnant and her previous pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, she must stay put as any unnecessary stress could potentially lead to endagering the baby. While initially this is a good point, if some of the events that occured in the house happened to me - you'd see a cloud of dust as I fled down the street - warnings or not. Nonetheless, Violet also desires to stay as she is tired of her parents trying to remedy their failed relationship by moving. More importantly, she desires to stay close to her (future) boyfriend, Tate. Tate is an incredibly troubled young man, who is later revealed to be dead. Ben, a psychiatrist, is hesitantly seeing Tate, upon Tate's insistence, and only gets glimpses of the true extent to which he is disturbed.

This first season has moved along speedily, and has left me perplexed as to how they can continue into season 2 at the current pacing. Episodes 11 and 12, "Birth" and "Afterbirth", combined should be considered the finale. While I have given away some of the season's revelations, I'll leave the results of the last 2 shows secret, in case one should desire to go back and watch the series. What I WILL say, post-finale, is that I continue to believe that the series should end here. Yes, after just one season, and an insane one at that, the creators should wrap it up and keep fans holding close to the thrilling season it was. Why? Ryan Murphy, the creator of the series, who also created Nip Tuck (one can see the relation), JUST made a statement that Season 2 would consists of new characters, with the possibly of particular characters reappearing as new ones.

In my opinion, after the finale, it appeared that either a) they'd have to declare this a miniseries, leave it at one, solid season or b) do just as Murphy proposed (which apparently he mentioned prior to the official statement, was a possibility), that there be all new characters in season 2. While certainly there is potential for great things to come of season 2, firm fans of series are such fans partially due to the connections they have with the existing characters. If, in each season, all the main characters get replaced, where does that leave its' followers? Yet in its' first season, the show was received with rave reviews including a Golden Globe award for Best Drama Series. With this success, naturally, they will continue as long as it is successful. In contrast to my opinion, particular writers have ways of amazingly bringing about a series in a direction one would never have imagined, or continued where it seemed there could only be an end, so, in all, I wholeheartedly suggest that those who have watched, tune into season 2, and those who have not, catch up!

This season's Winning Characters:

Tate - played by Evan Peters. Tate is a truly disturbing individual. The son of nosy neighbor Constance, Tate had an odd upbringing considering his family (all his siblings have had a physical disability and in response, Constance made the household a manipulative and heavy home) and is deemed by Ben, a psychopath. Yet amidst the frightening actions he's taken such as murdering numerous high school kids, of which he does not recall and raping his girlfriend's mother, the viewer has a sense of relation, a bit of pity, as it seems he desired simply to be truly loved and to be considered normal by someone.

Constance - played by Jennifer Lange. She is a complex character played by a quality actress. The card that Constance was dealt was a burdensome one, and it is easy to feel for her. However, she is not helpless nor innocent herself, and the ease at which she makes life-changing/life-ending decisions, along with intricate and potentially self-serving planning is enjoyable.

This season's Losing Characters:

Vivien - played by Connie Britton. Both the character and the actress are irritating. Do moms of teenage daughters really let their kids talk to them the way she lets Violet talk to her and just let Violet's moodiness slide? (Same to Ben, he gets a D for being a father). I don't believe you have to grow up in a restrictive household to feel like these parents are just observing as opposed to parenting. In addition, Connie Britton as an actress is just so-so. Not horrible, yet a few of her reactions were emotionless where they truly required much emotion. 'Tis possible that it is simply next to Dylan McDermott and Jennifer Lange, her acting appears more so as a novice.

Hope for a Great Next Season?:

Yes! Although my recomendation is to end the series here, of course the creators/studios are looking to make money and will continue until they have pulled every interesting ounce out of the writers and characters.

Note: although "horror" is in the title and there are ghosts in very episode, the series is less a horror story and more so a disturbing family story. I can be a big chicken, but if I can watch this at night, alone, anyone can!

The Finale: 3.5 out of 5 frames.

The Series: 4.5 out of 5 frames.

In case you haven't seen it - a trailer for season one:

Danae signing off!

"I gotta pay for this bridge?!"

2011-07-14T22:24:00.006-04:00

“Torchwood”
Channel: Starz
Day/Time: Friday 10pm

Let me preface this review by saying I have never seen any of the previous seasons of “Torchwood.” I was so lucky as to have been shown an advanced screening of the first episode. Now I know the first episode aired on 7/8, and the second episode is set to air tonight, but I still feel like I can weigh in on this. For those of you who know nothing about this show I can tell you that it started on the BBC and this is technically the 4th season. One of the main characters, Capt. Jack Harkness, came from the BBC series, “Doctor Who.” Something you should know about him, he’s immortal. Don’t ask me why, because I don’t know and from what I understand the show hasn’t explained it either.

The end of last season pretty much killed off all of the characters except for a few. They are back in season four with a whole host of amazing actors joining the fun that is Torchwood. What is Torchwood you ask? It’s a group that goes around fighting alien related mysteries and whatnot. It is “X-Files”-esque. But this season Torchwood has disbanded considering just about everyone is dead. The word Torchwood starts showing up all over the internet though and then all of a sudden it disappears from every database in the world. Something else happens, but I can’t say what it is. That would just ruin it for everyone who still hasn’t seen the first episode. And it’s kind of a big deal that I’m sure will carry on throughout the season so I won’t give it away.

I feel sorry for another of the returning characters, Gwen Cooper. She has been trying to lay low and live out in the country in Wales with her husband and baby. Any knock at the door or ring of the phone sends her into a tizzy. Gwen is one tough cookie though. The new characters work very well with each other and they seem to fit with the old characters. You have Mekhi Phifer and Alexa Havins as CIA agents. There is one hilarious scene between the two where Phifer really shines. I was cracking up the entire time. You also have Bill Pullman as a convicted child killer who survives his own execution and is let out of jail on a technicality. You have to see it to believe it.

There is a lot going on in the first episode and from the looks of the preview for the season there is a lot going to happen. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to give something away. I know on other sites they already gave away the big thing that happens in the first episode, but I’m not that type of girl. One thing I can leave you with is that I don’t think you will be disappointed. If you are a die-hard “Torchwood” fan I think you can still find this enjoyable and not be let down. There is a good amount of action and mystery and humor to keep everyone entertained. So check it out tonight. Get caught up with the first episode over on www.starz.com and look for the show.

I give this episode four out of five frames. I'm optimistic about the season.

Here is a piece put together by Starz discussing this season. Enjoy.

Until next time kids, this has been Hava.

Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon

2011-07-12T09:34:00.011-04:00

Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon (2011)
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Action, Sci Fi, Adventure
Director: Michael Bay
Running Time: 155 minutes

Hesitantly I went to go see the third (and apparently last) installment of the Transformer franchise this past weekend, and in 3D to add that punch. My feelings were due to the second atrocity that Michael Bay titled: Revenge of the Fallen. Maybe I'm being a bit harsh - there were a few "cool" factors in the second film, amidst the Revenge of the Fallen's: ridiculous sex-driven close-ups, racist, offensive and unnecessary characters (whose likely purpose was for comic relief), a completely wrecked Shanghai with a ridiculous government excuse for a cover up, etc.. Nonetheless, giving the next adventure a shot, I would!

At this point, the autobots continue to work with the United States government as self-protection against human threats (still a part of NEST), while keeping an open ear to news of anything Decepticon. A Ukrainian government representative asks that the USA checkout something odd at an infamous location, Chernobyl. Lennox's team arrives only to be attacked by Shockwave after discovering what Optimus Prime tells us is a fuel cell from a ship that left Cybertron decades ago. Optimus is furious that the government hadn't told him about this discovery. The source of the discovery is revealed: the true intent of the United States' desire to be the first to set foot on the moon was to discover what had crashed there, (camouflaged from the American people) and they had brought back some souvenirs. I'll not get into the whole story/summary as it is already written for you! You can either read it on Wikepedia or on IMDB, or simply go see the movie ;) I'm simply going to note a few of the arresting features, and that which may help you determine whether or not to go check this out.

Known to most folks who have seen the first couple movies, Megan Fox, supposedly due to creative differences (and her not knowing when to keep her mouth shut, even if Michael Bay is horrible to work with), does not return. Sam Witickey (Shia LeBeouf) is dating Carly Spencer (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley), a ridiculously pretty girl he met while at the White House awhile back.

The ocular experience was quite pleasant. At a running time of 155 minutes (2.5 hours), I thought I'd get to the point where I would be anxiously waiting for the credits but time flew by. One of the more noticeable (and pleasant) features were the transformations themselves. They were much clearer than the last installment (all I remember from Revenge of the Fallen were clashings of metal on metal that apparently conveyed the metamorphoses of vehicle to walking machine and vice versa). I could make out more of what was going on and as a result, was much more visually stimulating. The transformations were amazing - the computer graphics team who worked on this movie did an impressive job. One item of difficulty with respect to the transformers themselves, is the lack of pigment to any of the Decepticons. With all the layered and twisted metal this army is made up of, it was difficult to differentiate between which bots were which. A knowledged individual informed me that in the original story, the Decepticons too had color, not just the Autobots. While I realize that the design for each are likely unique (the team rendering each Decepticon I'm sure can provide a list of differences), in all the metal, fighting, twisting, transforming, war... I couldn't tell which Decepticon was getting its butt kicked!

The storyline was straight forward, yet with a few historical twists and plots (the coverup/truth about man landing on the moon, appearances by JFK & Richard Nixon) and the visit to Chernobyl. We also get a deep conflict; Sentinel Prime, the original leader of the Autobots, gets revived by Optimus however he does not share the same commitment to the sanctity of all life. This exchange between Optimus's honorable desire for the good of all, vs. Sentinal's intent to utilize Earth's resources as their new home, while "employing" humans as their servants, is memorable. To imagine that one you've admired your entire existence and whom you've not seen for many years, is not who you knew him to be, and possibly to the demise of all you've come to care for.

There was, of course, plenty of fan-service; naturally Sam Witwickey's gal worked at a job in which minidresses was welcomed & apparently proper attire. She didn't fail to impress while amidst the battle scenes, could still run in stilettos and not have a scratch or smudge of dirt on her at the cessation of the movie.

While I'm sure you've heard about this scene (whether you've yet to see the movie yet or not), I would be crazy not to mention the incredible car chase involving Sam & Bumblebee in which Bumblebee transforms with Sam in the car, he gets catapulted through the air, Bumblebee catches him and transforms back into the car with Sam in the driver's seat. I must say - kudos Bumblebee; I'd like to also be your friend. If you can look out for someone in such a way that you can disassemble and reassemble yourself while not accidentally taking off a foot or finger all while racing down a highway - I trust you completely. Tremendous action scene.

We had comic relief via two miniature autobots; a bit obnoxious but much, much, MUCH better than the ones featured last time. No illiterate, gold-teeth wearing, ghetto-type bots for us this time around, thank goodness.

There's much more to share but I believe that it is time to bid adieu and conclude that I think it was worth the time & money. The 3D experience was fun. :)

I give this three out of five frames.

A trailer (for your eyes only!):

Head on over to the forum or shoot me an email at pictureonawall@gmail.com with all opinions!

Danae signing off!

Source: wikepedia,com, imdb.com, traileraddict.com

X-Men: First Class

2011-06-15T21:55:00.009-04:00

X-Men: First Class (2011)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 2 hrs 12 mins

Let me just start this out by saying that I use to have a very extensive knowledge of X-Men based off of watching the cartoon back in the 90’s. That knowledge is no longer quite as extensive unfortunately. While I know that there were three movies since the cartoon ended I couldn’t have been bothered with any of them. So I went into this movie excited to see it and refresh all of my memory. I must admit all of my memory wasn’t refreshed but I did have some flashbacks. I will warn you now that there will be some spoilers after this point. If you still haven’t seen it then you should probably stop reading now and just go watch the movie and come back to me later.

From what I was told by my fiancé, who saw this with me, the beginning of the movie was a shot for shot remake of the first movie. Apparently a very well done remake. He was impressed. This is saying a lot for those of you who do not know him. I was impressed. This taught me something about Magneto and how he came to be. This was something I had missed in the cartoon. From then on we are shown Professor X and the soon to be called Mystique and how they meet. We go back and forth between their lives as they are older and how they use their abilities. It was quite refreshing to see Prof. X walking around. I almost forgot for a minute that he wasn’t always paralyzed.

Now I won’t bore you with a scene by scene blow by blow. That isn’t what this review will be, even though it’s what I’m known for around here. To sum up the movie neatly you watch as Sebastian Shaw, played very well by Kevin Bacon, tries to take over the world, so to speak. The U.S. government tries to stop what he has put into place (they are claiming that he set up the Bay of Pigs incident between USA & Russia) first with a recruitment of other people who have “abilities.” They scrap that idea and go about it militarily but those abilitied people just won’t quit, and go against Shaw ultimately defeating him. There were also some fun cameos from Hugh Jackman, as Wolverine who turns down Magneto and Prof. X to join the group with a subtle expletive, and Rebecca Romijn, as Mystique for a few brief seconds.

“X-Men: First Class” was entertaining and thrilling. It had amazing effects. The writing wasn’t even that bad, which is tough to find in comic book based movies. It is either hokey and dumb or too dry for the audience to appreciate. The acting in this movie was fantastic. All of these guys were perfect for their roles. I fell in love with Michael Fassbender all over again. I loved him in “Inglourious Basterds,” and he was brilliant in this. The story hit all the right points for a reboot of this franchise. While I am told that some of things in the movie do differ from the way it was in the comic book, we will all just have to get over that. There is a thing called creative license and unfortunately all of us puritans out there will just have to live with it. All of the racial undertones were still there. The point that Stan Lee & Jack Kirby made when they wrote the X-Men comic back in the sixties came through brilliantly. Now I have read some reviews that think the point was completely missed. They argue over who in the sixties we should be comparing Magneto and Prof. X to. I won’t do that. I will just give a nod to Stan & Jack and how they wrote a great story about racial and societal tensions that is still apt today.

I have heard some people saying that “X-Men: First Class” wasn’t good. To each their own. For what it is worth I really enjoyed it. I was never big into comic books. I was never that big into comic book related cartoons and movies, except for Batman. This however brought me back around to the side of the comic book. It took me back to when I was a kid and watching the X-Men cartoon and being fully enthralled in it. I look forward to the next installment of this reboot. It has also made me interested in such movies as “The Green Lantern,” which comes out June 17th.

I highly endorse this movie and give it 4.5 frames. (There is always room for improvement.)

Here is the trailer for you to enjoy:

Until next time kids, this has been Hava.

THOR

2011-05-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

Thor (2011)
Genre: Action/Adventure/Drama
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 115 minutes

Based on ancient Germanic/Norse theology of Thor (a powerful god, with the well-known attributes of wielding a powerful hammer and the ability to control thunder), we now meet Marvel's version of Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth. Thor's father, King Odin (Anthony Hopkins), has, after defeating the Frost Giants, set a precedence of peace throughout the Nine Realms (earth comprises one of these realms). He keeps protected, the one thing the Frost Giants need in order to regain their power, The Casket of Ancient Winters. His two sons, Thor & Loki (Tom Hiddleston), both have a chance to become the next King of Asgard. After deliberately disobeying King Odin, and putting the whole kingdom at risk, Thor is stripped of his powers and cast out of Asgard. His hammer is to follow with the hexing that the hammer can only be wielded by one worthy. Upon Thor's arrival to earth, he runs into ;) a young scientist named Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and you can only imagine the spectacle that then ensues.

Attempting not to give much away about the rest of the story, I will say that the director chose well in his casting of Thor. Chris Hemsworth is a fairly new actor, with no major movie roles (except a minor appearance in the newest Star Trek movie). He did a great job played a young Thor, and that which you would imagine him to be - a warrior, charming, immense, heroic, and even cocky. Also, Tom Hiddleston as Loki brought just the right amount of mischief and looked around with eyes full of need for attention - yet you couldn't help but feel for him. I won't give everything away but for those that know about the comic, you know that there is more than just a little sibling rivalry between the two brothers. Natalie Portman did an alright job. I love her as an actress but this role didn't seem quite the right fit. There was a moment in the film in which you could tell the director put in as he likely hoped it was be a memorable catch-phrase moment involving Jane - it ended up being cheesy and quite misplaced in the atmosphere of the movie. Anthony Hopkins as King Odin kills it (why should we be surprised?!).

In other news, while I don't have crushes often, seeing Thor toss around quite a few federal agents and not bat an eye when threatened by massive opponents was thrilling; I may have to move on from my previous infatuation, Wolverine, 'cuz Thor is no joke!

This is the fourth installation in the Marvel movie series for the Avengers (consisting of The Hulk, Ironman, and Ironman 2). Three more are planned: Captain America, Ironman 3 and, to star all the heroes listed so far; The Avengers (set to be released in 2012).

Overall, solid, solid action movie. If I had to compare to the other Marvel films leading up to this, I'd rate them in this order, with all being at least three out of five frames and in decreasing order: The Hulk, Ironman, Thor then Ironman 2. Now I'm indeed looking forward to the team when they form their alliance and we get to be a part of it!

I give this a 3.5 out of 5 frames!

Here's a trailer:

Head on over to the forum or shoot me an email at pictureonawall@gmail.com with all opinions!

Danae signing off!

traileraddict.com
wikepedia.com

We've come to an end already?

2011-05-15T23:03:00.007-04:00

It's all coming to an end folks. It is mid May so that means that many of our favorite shows are ending for the season. Even some series are ending for good. It's all very bittersweet. While we will be mourning our shows all summer, we do always get a new batch of shows to distract us.

One of my faves, "Vampire Diaries." ended this past Thursday. I was glued to the screen. I was surprised to see that they gave Damon, a vampire, the cure to his werewolf bite, which is deadly to vampires. I really thought that would be a cliffhanger. Instead they threw us a curve and gave him the cure, but took lovable, sweet Stefan away from us. Who knows how they will play out with his relationship with mortal, Elena, and if that will leave her open to Damon, who has been harboring feelings for her since Season One.

Another of my absolute favorites, "Gossip Girl," is ending tonight. I don't know how I feel about what they have set up. Blair is engaged to a prince but clearly still in love with Chuck. While that isn't so bad, you must know that Blair will be held hostage on the roof of a building that Chuck's nemesis is planning to set on fire. Blair included. I know it is supposed to be compelling, but it just seems that it is getting further and further into bad soap opera territory. These plots could have all been found on Dynasty I'm afraid. I'm just not sure what they are trying to do. But I will be glued to the screen tonight to see how they are going to leave us hanging for the rest of the summer.

The finale of "The Office" is also coming up this week. We have had a couple episodes without Michael Scott now and it hasn't been bad. Yes, it is really sad to see Steve Carrell go, but I think this cast can pull it off. In the finale we are going to be seeing a whole cast of characters vying for Michael's old job. Such people as Jim Carey, Ray Romano, Ricky Gervais, and many more will be there to apply. Somehow I think they aren't going to hire an outsider. I think the promotion will come from within. We must wait and see however.

A series that we are all sad to see go is "Smallville." After ten seasons it is finally over. Mild mannered Clark Kent has officially become Superman. In a two hour finale that, at times, confused me a little since I have been slacking in the later seasons, saw Clark's destiny come to fruition. As I was advised by my fiance, this is just one version of his destiny. Apparently in different universes he has different destinies. Even ones where he doesn't become a super hero. Imagine that. Overall I think they ended it well. While at times it did seem to lag, especially through that five minute long feeling clip flashback for Clark, it did move a pretty good clip and ended us with a conclusion we can all be happy with. Well, at least I was happy with it.

Hopefully this summer won't let us down with good offerings to watch. I'm looking forward to the return of "So You Think You Can Dance." Hopefully they return to the old format since I just can't get behind what they did this past couple seasons. Made me not want to watch it. I also hope to see another "Hell's Kitchen" because who can get enough Gordon Ramsey? I know I can't. Let's all cross our fingers folks and hope that we are blessed with good programming this summer and that fall hurries up and gets here so I can see what is going to happen on all of my favorite shows.

Head on over to www.j1studios.com and discuss in the forum what you think of the finales for this season. Also let us know what shows you are looking forward to in the summer.

Until next time kids, this has been Hava!

RIO!!!

2011-05-10T09:56:00.010-04:00

Rio (2011)
Director: Carlos Saldanha
Genre: Animated, Family, Adventure
Running Time: 96 Minutes
Rated: PG

As the story goes, a baby Macaw named Blu (Jesse Eisenberg), native to Rio de Janeiro, is stripped from his beautiful homeland by those from the black market hoping to profit from the selling of exotic birds. Blu is lucky enough to have fallen from the smuggler's truck amidst travel and be found by a little girl named Linda (Leslie Mann). They become the best of friends, in every sense of the word, and via a little montage, we come to present day - Linda as an adult store owner, with Blu helping out in her day to day tasks and him reaping every benefit of her adoration of him. Their life is quiet until a gentleman named Tulio (Rodrigo Santoro) arrives and offers a one-of-a-kind chance; Blu is only living male Macaw left and they have a female they want him to mate with. In Rio de Janeiro! Aside from having to leave all that he knows, Blu has a big problem; he never learned to fly!

This adventure takes place in the heart of this beautiful city. The energetic and native music is an integral part of the experience - so many fun songs! Being that it's 2011 and an American-made film, the featured artists are T-Pain and Jamie Foxx; they do a solid job voicing two supplemental characters and lending a hand to quite a few songs. There is no denying when this film was created and that the marketing is precise; there are quite a few current-day references and body mannerisms placed throughout that are particular to our new generation. There is not too much that is incredibly original yet it doesn't matter - everything was enjoyable: the music, the humor, the love story(s). And thus...

I give this a four out of five frames!!!

Now go fly away and see this movie, you won't regret it!

Post a thought on the forum (www.j1studios.com/forum/) or shoot me an email (bibliophagedanae@hotmail.com) with your response/thoughts!!

Danae signing off!

Oh no! We'll all be killed!

2011-04-13T21:26:00.004-04:00

I cried when I heard you might get your own daytime show too Katie.

It’s no secret that I don’t like Katie Couric. Well if you know me and have heard me talk about the Today show then you would know that. When Katie left five years ago to do the evening news over on CBS I was not heart broken. You could hear me telling anyone that asked, and even if they didn’t, that I could not wait for her to go. I thought her interview skills weren’t that great. When she was interviewing families about their recently murdered child she would step all over them talking and interrupt them to ask nonsense questions. Now I understand that they only have a short period time in the segment and they have to get all the questions in, but she was just terrible at it. The parents would be crying and talking about how much they miss their daughter and she would interrupt with the tragic details of their death. Katie was lacking in the tact department. She also seemed to be stuck on herself. Trust me Katie, NO ONE CARED THAT MUCH ABOUT YOUR LEGS! It seemed towards the end that Katie cared more about her clothes than anything else.

Katie then went on to be the first female to anchor the nightly news solo. That is a big deal. Barbara Walters didn’t even do that, and she’s Barbara Walters. Unfortunately for Katie she didn’t fare too well over there on CBS all by her lonesome. After initial big ratings she abruptly fell to number three and couldn’t claw her way out of there. She just couldn’t get past Brian Williams on NBC or Charles Gibson, who anchored for the first half of Katie’s run, and Diane Sawyer, who anchored since 2009, on ABC. It was big news when Diane Sawyer was to be anchoring on her own. It would be the first time that two females would go up against each other in the ratings for nightly news. Sadly, Katie just couldn’t cut it. Diane Sawyer proved to be a better anchor.

I can’t deny that there was some choice moments that Katie did shine. Who could forget her interview with Sarah Palin where she made her look like the fool that she is? She has been able to go to different countries and cover big stories that she wasn’t allowed to while she was on the Today show. Ann Curry always got those jobs. It was rightfully so since she was the news person on the Today show. I do think that Katie was a little bitter about it. But really, how can you take someone that got a colonoscopy on national television seriously?

You may be wondering why I’m bringing up my disdain for Katie Couric. Well, her contract with CBS’s nightly news is up in a matter of weeks and people are speculating as to what she will be doing. Will she be renewing her contract with CBS? Does CBS even want to renew her contract? Will she go on to host her own syndicated daytime show? The last question is what everyone seems to think she will be doing. They also think that she will be corrupting her old co-host from the Today show, Matt Lauer, and have him on the show with her. I sincerely hope that Matt doesn’t go to her show if that is the route Katie chooses to go. What would the Today show be without Matt? We already know that Meredith Vieira won’t be renewing her contract when it is up in September. We would be left with Al Roker, who can just be too much at times, and the lovely Ann Curry, who will become too much after a while.

My plea to all networks out there is that they don’t give Katie Couric her own syndicated daytime program. I like her sitting quietly over there at 6:30pm at CBS. I don’t have to deal with her there. Apparently no one has to deal with her there. Unfortunately for the viewing public though, she doesn’t like to go away. She is like that fly that you thought went out the door with you in the morning but it turns out that it never really left and keeps buzzing around your head all night. I’ll be on the lookout for what happens. I need to know where to stay away from, just in case.

Until next time kids, this has been Hava.

Insidious

2011-04-05T00:00:00.000-04:00

Insidious (2011)
Director: James Wan
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Running Time: 102 minutes
Rated: PG-13

As a family attempts to get settled amidst a move, frightening things start occurring. The mother, Renai (Rose Byrne), seems to be the only one noticing anything as odd noises and bizarre experiences have her scared. After an accident in the attic, their son, Dalton (Ty Simpkins), falls into a coma. Months pass, with his brother giving a forewarning of what is to come by expressing his discomfort with the coma-ridden Dalton as he is cared for at home. More and more alarming scares occur and Renai insists to her husband Josh (Patrick Wilson), that something is wrong with the house and for their safety, they need to leave.

Once in their second new home, Renai hopes they left behind the eeriness yet not long passes before she realizes that it wasn't the home that was haunted, whatever abnormal, other-worldly being(s) that had been harassing them are still with the family. Josh's mother quickly believes her, stating she had a vision about Dalton - that the source of this nightmare was centered around him. Josh's continuous dubiousness frustrates everyone as he is the only one not having experienced the craziness. After an overtly terrifying event, Renai convinces everyone that a supernatural medium is needed to assess what was going on - what happens then can simply be described as a disconcerting, life-altering sequence of events.

Reminiscent of older, horror films that perpetuate fear via build up of titillating oldies music, letting the imagination scare yourself, and simple startling frights, this film is successful in keeping it simple and eerie. We all know by being along at home late at night, those odd noises are enough to get your imagination running, now imagine you slowly realized there was a true supernatural source behind those sounds and it wasn't going anywhere. Josh Wann plays on these fears and gives you more to be terrified of over and over again. I don't want to give too much away so I will stay vague, but this is a film in which I had difficulty determining the single most frightening moment - there were too many! The story is nothing new, as there are many ghost/spirit-based movies out there but we don't need an out-of-place plot. What we fear is not only what is unknown, but something that is close to home and that which is inescapable. For the same reasons I thought 2010's Drag Me To Hell was amazing (though this doesn't contain the icky, body-liquid grossness Drag Me did); classic jumpy frights, no over the top Hollywood graphic makeup - Insidious does it right.

I give this film 4 out of 5 frames!!

View the trailer here:

Danae signing off!

source: traileraddict.com

Paul Review - Sneak Preview, Not Yet Released!

2011-03-16T00:00:00.002-04:00

Paul (2011)

Rated: R
Running Time: 104 minutes
Genre: Sci-Fi, Comedy, Adventure
Director: Greg Mottola

To summarize the premise, two besties (& a couple of sure-fire nerds), Graeme (Simon Pegg) and Clive (Nick Frost) are embarking on a cross country adventure hoping to catch a glimpse of anything supernatural and to obtain numerous photo opts at some of the most popular alien-sighting attractions. Amid their travels, they encounter quite an oddity to say the least - something they yap about constantly but truthfully did not desire a chance meeting with - an alien! Not just any alien, Paul to be specific. This creature, while the stereotypical big-headed green man, is not quite what they expected. A smart-alec who speaks English, makes pop-culture references and appears to be a genius who has the humor of a 14 year old boy. He needs the pair of fanatics to help him dodge a top-secret government agency who'd been housing him as a consultant of sorts for decades yet they had determined he'd served his needs and was to be disposed of.

Unfortunately I have to admit, I wasn't looking forward to it - from the trailer alone, it didn't have me sold. I went because I'm not one to turn down a free screener's pass! I will say I enjoyed it more than I thought I would yet it was not consistently interesting or comical. A few of the human/alien exchanges were dry and empty. I missed some references although I did get a few of them but not enough to crack more than a grin. Some of the crude jokes/gestures were brainless and unamusing yet I suppose for this movie's target group (boys/men teens to mid thirties who have grown up going to comic cons etc..), it's quite fitting! Jason Bateman never fails to play his role perfectly and a well-placed slap had to be the best scene (aside from the ending) in the film. We all certainly know Simon Pegg, and his bff in real life, Nick Frost, is familiar too. Yet the pair didn't wow me in any way. I will say it was better than I gauged yet nothing to be too excited over. I would love the opinion of an individual who got ALL the references and is a man in the age group I mentioned above. While I do not believe girls should watch "girl" movies only and vice versa, in this case, the target group will likely be the only group able to enjoy this oddball. In addition, the references to Christians were insulting. Although I understand that as in lots of cases within film, especially a comedy, what's written about is an extreme but to make fun of a belief and attributing those who believe in it to be naive, brain-washed individuals is irritating and false.

This movie gets an overall, 1.5 out of 5 frames!

While there certainly existed hilarities (did I just make up a word?!), overall it was slowly paced with not enough laughs to have me watch again. I'm certain though for geeks (not hatin', just statin') they'll catch more of the relations and it may appeal to them more than the average viewer. FYI - NOT for kids!!

Watch the trailer if you haven't already:

Will you go see this movie, wait for netflix or nix it? Let me know - post to the forum!

Danae signing off!

source: traileraddict.com, imdb.com

Trump wants you to care about these celebrities

2011-03-10T00:15:00.005-05:00

"Celebrity Apprentice"
Channel: NBC (check your local listings)
Day & Time: Sunday @ 9pm EST

Who doesn’t like watching Donald Trump tell has beens and people you forgot existed to do some ridiculous tasks at least once a week? Anyone? Anyone? You in the back? No? Oh, okay. I didn’t think so. Somehow it’s just more interesting watching Trump boss these “celebrities” around than regular Joe shmoes who really need the job and the money. It just seems to be easier to watch sixteen “celebrities” duke it out for money to give to charities.

This new season has brought out a higher quotient of recognizable stars than usual. The line-up this season is as follows: Gary Busey, Jose Canseco, David Cassidy, Richard Hatch, Lil Jon, Mark McGrath, Meat Loaf, John Rich, Hope Dworaczyk, La Toya Jackson, Star Jones, NeNe Leakes, Marlee Matlin, Lisa Rinna, Niki Taylor, and Dionne Warwick. If you don’t recognize any of these names you can go on over to NBC’s website and go to the show’s page and read a short bio about them. The one person on here that I can’t believe is in this group of people trying to be relevant again is Marlee Matlin. She is an Oscar winner for crying out loud! She must be doing this as a favor to Trump to make this season a little more legitimate. Or he is catering to the deaf community.

The season premier was hectic as usual. They broke off into the boys against the girls and came up with team names. The boys chose “Backbone” and the girls chose “A.S.A.P. (Actors, Singers, Authors and Professionals with a Purpose).” Hatch and Jones become the project managers for the task. The task is to run a NY pizzeria. Once at their respective shops they start calling all of their famous and/or rich friends to drum up business. Richard is controlling and obnoxious, just like when he was on Survivor. Thankfully in this reality show he is wearing clothes. He seems to enjoy picking on little David Cassidy by physically pushing him around. The guys prep for sale and somewhere along the way Busey is dubbed the “Pepperoni Profit” and he will be out on the street preaching about the pizza. The ladies take to prepping as well and Star pretty much stays as far away from things that will make her dirty as possible. She works on a way too busy poster instead.

As things start rolling Hatch insists that they only deliver pizzas to large donors. He also pushes Cassidy just one too many times and he tells him so. Hatch doesn’t really seem to care at all. The ladies find that Niki Taylor was a pizza chef in her former life. It seems the only hitch is that Warwick isn’t too quick with the register and the credit card machine. Back at the guys site they are getting big spenders in there which makes Cassidy feel a little inferior. The girls bring in the big bucks too. They also win a taste test challenge and win the right to deliver pizzas to a fire house to pick up a $35,000 donation for their team. When one of Star’s friends order 40 pies at $1000 a piece Star decides to close the shop so they can focus on the large order. She rushes the delivery ladies (Marlee & Lisa) back and gets on them for being in traffic. They are able to make it to Star’s friend, who has changed the order to just one pie for $40,000. They don’t get to the fire house though. Tsk, tsk.

In the boardroom the girls are calmly going at each other and Busey’s cell phone goes off. He is pretty much the best part of this show. So all totaled the girls kicked the guy’s butts at $115,368 to $54,104. While the ladies celebrate the guys go at each other. Or, more specifically, they guys go on about how Hatch picked on everyone especially Cassidy. Canseco wants to beat up Hatch and Busey acts like a loon. When asked who should be fired everyone agrees it should be Hatch. It comes down to Hatch, Cassidy, and Canseco in the end and Trump thinks that Cassidy just doesn’t stick up for himself enough and he ends up getting fired. Ridiculous, right?

It seems to me that they only kept Hatch around for ratings because you know he will fight with people when Cassidy most likely wouldn’t. He just doesn’t seem like that sort of guy. Personally, I think this season should be pretty good. They have some egos on there and anything with Gary Busey is always a winner. I want him to win. If not Busey then definitely Marlee Matlin.

I give this opening show 3 1/2 frames. As things go, it could have been better. I'm grading on a curve.

Until next time kids, this has been Hava.

Has it really taken Tyra 16 seasons to be taken seriously?

2011-02-22T21:40:00.005-05:00

America’s Next Top Model
Day/Time: Wednesdays @ 9pm EST
Channel: CW (Check your local listings)

Guess whose favorite crazy ex super model is back. Yep, it’s Tyra Banks and she is back for the sixteenth cycle of America’s Next Top Model. Yes, you heard me correctly. This show has really been on for sixteen seasons. It’s amazing isn’t it? Who would have ever thought that her crazy and kooky self would have been allowed to continue this nonsense for this long? Lucky for me she has. Even luckier for everyone she is still on this kick of “high fashion.” Last season was her first venture into the “high fashion” realm. She is trying to be more serious and actually taken seriously. That is why I’m sure this season will be just as interesting to watch.

Tyra and the CW network have taken all of the guess work out of who will make it into the house and onto the show by posting the short bios and pictures of the models for this cycle. I’m pretty disappointed about it. They use to not post this stuff until maybe the day before but this time they posted it the beginning of February. That is pretty foolish if you ask me. It takes all of the fun out of the first episode wondering who is going to make it onto the show. Apparently that is neither here nor there at this point since the network is set on just letting everyone know everything ahead of time. Looking through the girls’ bios they are all pretty much 23 and under except for one glaring stand out of a girl who is 26. Cue small violins playing as she recounts over and over about how this is her last chance to break into the modeling business. I also noticed that around 95% of the girls are in college or graduated college. That’s a nice step up from some of the other seasons. Is that your way of making this show more “high fashion” Tyra?

There really isn’t much else out there to know about this cycle. The only things that we can glean from the short preview clips is that they are still going with the “high fashion” theme, Miss J Alexander is not allowed to sit on the judges’ panel anymore, Andre Leon Talley is still there trying to make the show legitimate with his connection to Vogue magazine, and the girls will be doing a runway challenge while walking on water in a giant bubble. I hope that John Travolta is the guest judge for that challenge so he can comment on the girls’ ability to control the bubble. He does have the most experience of anyone I know since he was the boy in the bubble.

The only bit of insider info I can give you is that the trip this season is to Morocco. We know that since Jay Manuel, the photo shoot creative director, tweeted about it while he was there and posted a picture of him in the desert. That should be fun. I’m anticipating all of the flashbacks I will be having to the horrendous ”Sex and the City” movie sequel. You think that’s where Tyra got the idea to go there from?

I’m not sure how I feel about this new cycle yet. True I can’t have a completely formed opinion until I see it but I just don’t know about this “high fashion” angle they are working towards now. I’m happy for Tyra and her effort to make this show mean something and her desire to be taken seriously but she’s losing her kooky, fun, and sometimes questionable sanity side of herself that we have all come to know and love. She sometimes irked the devil out of me while all of the unnecessary weirdness but without it the show just doesn’t seem the same. We can only wait and see how this season pans out. I’m going to make an early prediction based off of what I have read about the contestants. I’m going to guess that it is the girl Nicole. I’m only guessing this based on her picture. They haven’t had a blond win a while so they are due. So if it’s not Nicole then it’s one of the other blonds.

Obviously since I haven't seen any of the season yet I can't give out any frames. But I'm sure this season will be worth many a frame to come. I have included a very funny clip of Tyra mocking the stereotypes of contestants that we see on the show. Enjoy!

Until next time kids, this has been Hava!

Wompers

2011-02-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

I am ash-a-med! I had been planning on seeing The Fighter, Black Swan, The King's Speech & Tangled for the past few weeks. Has this busy gal made time in her "sh"edule to do so? Nada! Do not fear, while I have not been able to view and thus REview any new releases, I have intermittently been watching a miniseries. One that is unexpected as it's been out for quite some time AND it's not even American! You all know of my love of Netflix and in looking for some positively commented-on movies/shows, I came across a British series called Prime Suspect. This series came out in the 1990's and ran until the early part of 2000s. The show featured Helen Mirren as British Detective Chief Inspector (DCI), Jane Tennison. She is one of a handful of women in a male dominated field. Set in London, DCI Tennison takes on every case with her whole being. She is a no-nonsense, hard-working and quite honestly, unsympathetic boss. Throughout the series, she continues to have a painstaking struggle for any and all respect. Yet nothing stops her - she demands to be heard as she truly is a good detective. Not afraid to take on cases that may end badly, aren't pretty, nor will necessarily be the best for her future - she invests all she is into each and every case. BTW, the series has won Golden Globe Awards, Emmy Awards and more...

Here's a clip from the first episode of season 1 (unfortunately she's not in much of this clip in particular but figured it best to show you the beginning):

There are 7 seasons in all - I'm just finished Season 3 and will onto Season 4 this weekend. No worries about needing an excess amount of time to get the whole series in; each season is comprised of just four, one-hour episodes. I'm doing a little at a time.

I rate this series (so far!) a four and a half frames out of five:

Next series in my queue: Dollhouse!

YOUR homework for today - provide recommendations of what I should add to my Netflix queue based on some of YOUR favorite series!

Danae signing off!

What is that? The Alabama of Europe?

2011-01-27T22:59:00.005-05:00

“Archer”
Day/Time: Thursdays @ 10pm EST
Channel: FX
Rating: MA (NOT for children)

Finally “Archer” has returned! After having to wait so long for the second season of this critically hailed animated spy comedy, we were not let down. The show delivered in its usual way. There were plenty of jokes and one liners and just the right amount of suspected “unsuspected” happenings. So assuming that you read my last review of the first season and the show thus far I will continue to write this review as if you know who everybody is. If you haven’t read the aforementioned review then please do so and come back to this one so that you won’t be lost.

The second season brings us back to ISIS and we learn that Cyril and Lana have broken up and apparently Cyril has gone Tiger Woods on us went upstate to a rehab facility for a sex addiction. ISIS is still going down the tubes financially so they are trying to find an investor. That leads the whole crew to Switzerland to help guard a billionaire’s 17 year old daughter and try to sucker him into investing in ISIS. So of course hijinks ensue and, ever the ladies’ man, Sterling Archer has attracted the eye of the daughter, Anka, and is repeatedly molested by her. Of course no one believes that she is coming on to him. All this is happening while trying to fend off the bad guys who are trying to kidnap Anka. This is really hard for Archer. He is use to molesting the women but never being the victim. The more disturbing action takes place in the billionaire father’s suite with Archer’s mother, Malory, who is the head of ISIS and HR manager Pam. Pam actually has a lot in common with the man and they get involved in some hot tubbing and drinking of “green Russians.” Malory gets in the mix trying to get the financial backing and ends up in a most disgusting situation that I can’t detail here in this review.

This show had it all. There were inappropriate jokes, awkward threesomes, shooting, beating the bad guys, and a little underage coming of age realizations. Archer beats the bad guys once again and helps Anka realize why she acts out so much. There was many a good line. I’ll probably be asking if I have to supply my own lids for a little while. Well, at least until next week when another episode comes on.

If you didn’t catch this episode I’m sure you will be able to catch it on HULU in a day or two. If you weren’t watching it purposely because you still haven’t seen the first season yet then stop being stupid and watch the new season. True you will have to catch up so you can understand the dynamic between Lana and Cyril and some of the other characters, but why miss out on a sure to be great second season and put yourself further behind? That’s just nonsensical.

I definitely give this episode 4 1/2 frames. I'm taking off half just to leave room for growth. Kind of like how they do in figure skating competitions. Can't give out the 10's to the first skater.

P.S. If you like Archer you would probably like “Bob’s Burgers” on FOX. Now, it doesn’t have the cursing and kind of nudity but it is still an animated wonder. H. John Benjamin does the voice of the lead character Bob and he is just as great as he is on Archer. The comedy delivers and it is a perfect interlude between “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy.” Just a fun suggestion from me to you.

I'd add a clip of "Archer" but since it isn't for younger readers or viewers I supply you with a clip of "Bob's Burgers" just you can enjoy in the greatness of it.

Go on over to www.j1studios.com in the forum and join the discussion about "Archer." Or start a new one about "Bob's Burgers." Either way, go on over.

Until next time kids, this has been Hava.

Tron Legacy (2010)

2011-01-11T07:44:00.013-05:00

Tron Legacy (2010)
Rated: PG
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Action
Running Time: 127 Minutes
Director: Joseph Kosinski

A highly anticipated sequel to the original Tron (which was released in 1982), takes us to the digital world where its inhabitants battle for survival.

Some background of the original movie: Jeff Bridges plays and engineer/hacker, Kevin Flynn who aims to expose Ed Dillinger (David Warner) as the thief he is. Dillinger has stolen Flynn's program(s) thus advancing within his company, ENCOM, on the coattails of someone else's work. Flynn hacks into ENCOM's system and is assisted by friends (and ENCOM employees) Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner) & Dr. Lora Baines (Cindy Morgan). Amidst the execution, Flynn gets transported into the digital world. In this realm, all programs take on the appearance of their user & The Master Control Program, which had previously prevented Flynn from accessing ENCOM's system, is controlled in the digital world by Sark. Sark manipulates programs who don't strictly abide by the mindset that you are to have no faith in their respective users. There is a struggle to defeat Sark & expose Dillinger, to which they are successful and, in conclusion, Flynn wins out and becomes CEO of ENCOM.

Tron Legacy continues this saga 20 years later with Flynn's son, Sam (Garrett Hedlund) who is doesn't take his inheritance (ownership of ENCOM) seriously and aims simply to periodically make fools of the board of directors. He is visited by Bradley, his fathers cohort 20 years ago, who pushes him to check out the former arcade, run by Flynn. Bradley received a page from Flynn's office at the arcade. Sam discovers a secret work area and accidentally gets transported into a digital world. There he discovers Clu; a program Flynn made to create a perfect world who has turned on Flynn. Sam also meets Quorra (Olivia Wilde) who is his path to finding his father and getting them out of there.

The visuals are absolutely stunning. If computer graphics continue down this path, there will be no need for human actors/actresses (although there still may be a desire for them)! Jeff Bridges' CGI equivalent is almost flawless. Aside from the somewhat awkward speeches which emphasize the imperfection, (and difficulty) of creating the perfect replica of human oral movement - the facial structure, the eyes, the small strand of hair that falls into his forehead - truly amazing. The neon-themed, contrasted world makes it hard to forget. Add in, as in the original, tons of spandex and you have a ocular winner!

Critics state that the movie lacks character development/connection. To some extent I agree - you desire to see Sam succeed but not enough to keep watching. What does keep your eyes glued to the screen are the vibrant, contrast-bearing, digital scenery AND (at least for me), the heartfelt desire to see Kevin Flynn through to the end (whatever that may be). Jeff Bridges has continued to impress me and even this somewhat unemotional world, has portrayed his earnestness, desire and amazement at all that has happened. Aside from the visual aspect, he makes this film. Kudos too to Olivia Wilde.

As in the original and now upgraded, you too cannot miss the Light Cycle races on a multi-layered board nor the disc battles.

It does seem though as though that the first Tron was smarter. While the original did focus on creating "digital" graphics, (likely considered current at the time) it more so was attentive to the framework and workings that make up Tron, ENCOM, The Grid etc... the world they are entrapped in and the programs that comprise the majority of said world. This is lacking in the sequel - while I was interested in the visuals, the "cool" factor of some of the situations Sam & Quorra fell into, I didn't feel the significance of what was said/done with the intention of having us distraught/disturbed.

A plus: Daft Punk completed the soundtrack. How can you beat this?! If you don't know of them btw, this French, electronica/house duo have done some amazing work and you NEED to find out more. The tracks need to grow on you a bit as they largely impress upon viewership of the film.

I give this a three out of five frames!

I battled with myself as I was tempted to give this a 2.5 rating; don't be dissuaded by this! It's not the top movie of 2010 nor a movie some will choose to purchase but CERTAINLY worth renting, watching, maybe watching twice AND if you can get on dvd inexpensively, I believe worth adding to your collection!

Trailer:

As The Fighter seems to be your next movie review choice - that shall be the next to follow!

Email me at pictureonawall@gmail.com, visit & chat on the forum at www.j1studios.com or go to J1 Studios Facebook page!

Danae signing off!

Archer: Codename Duchess

2011-01-05T21:26:00.008-05:00

"Archer"
Day/Time: Thursdays @ 10pm est
Channel: FX
Rating: NR (Not for children)

If you haven’t seen the animated show “Archer” on FX then you are seriously missing out. But don’t worry, the full first season is now FINALLY out on DVD and just in time for the second season to start on 1/27/11 (Check your local listings for times). If you’re wondering why you should bother catching up on this cartoon then I will gladly tell you all about the first season. This is more than just a cartoon. It’s geared specifically for adults and the humor ranges from the ridiculous to the sublime. I haven’t met a person yet that has seen this show that hasn’t absolutely loved it.

While the first season was only a mere ten episodes long it set up plenty of back story and a plot that left you hanging and upset that you had to wait practically an entire year for the next season. As the season opens you are introduced to super spy Sterling Archer (H. Jon Benjamin) and his cohorts at ISIS. Lead by his mother Malory, who is brilliantly voiced by Jessica Walter, Archer is made to work with his ex-girlfriend Lana (Aisha Tyler), her new boyfriend and ISIS comptroller Cyril (Chris Parnell), a sexual fetishist receptionist Cheryl or Carol or whatever (Judy Greer), and the office whipping girl, HR leader Pam (Amber Nash). Together this crazy crew finds themselves in personal tangles and always seems to interfere with their espionage work.

As the season wore on you found that the work for ISIS (International Secret Intelligence Service) was only just a mild distraction for these trained spies. It was their personal lives and dramas that were the real story. “Archer” keeps the story lines new and constant running jokes. You find yourself thinking that they won’t go there, but oh yes they do and much further.

This group of hilarious cohorts find themselves searching for moles inside of ISIS, dealing with a new spy in the group that seems too good to be true (and not just because he’s black and Jewish), going up against rival assassins, protecting a “luxury airship” from bomb threats, and trying to obtain new and lucrative contracts to keep ISIS afloat. All this happens while Malory is trying to keep the identity of Archer’s real father under wraps.

I strongly suggest that you go out and buy the first season or get it on Netflix or download it free somewhere on the internet. “Archer” isn’t just some half hour long cartoon. It is a hilarious comedy full of animated action. The critics love this show, it has a huge fan base, and the voice of Archer, H. Jon Benjamin, even won an Emmy for his voice work on the show. You really can’t get much better than this. So everyone lotion up your man hands, grab your ping pong paddles, and remember, it’s just the tip. Oh, and whatever you do, DON’T LIGHT THAT MATCH! THIS PLACE WILL BLOW AT ANY SECOND! (You have to watch the first season to understand any of that. So get to it.)

I would include a video but none of them are appropriate for all reading and viewing audiences as this show is not for children. But you can go to the official website where they have full episodes and clips up and just about anything else you would want to know about the show and it's cast.

I do give this show five full frames so you know I mean business.

Head on over to www.j1studios.com and discuss "Archer" in the forum. Tell me how much you love it and then how much you love me for getting you turned on to the show.

Until next time kids, this has been Hava.

Ugh

2010-12-08T23:11:00.006-05:00

Hell's Kitchen
Channel: FOX
Day/Time: Wednesday at 9pm (Check your local listings)

Ugh. If you watched last night’s Hell’s Kitchen then you know why I said that. In case you didn’t see it I’ll let you know what happened. The season is coming to an end. Just one more episode left now. So you know this means that Gordon Ramsay narrowed the field down to his final two. My exclamation is due to who he chose for the coveted positions. But let me take you through the episode first to get you up to speed.

In the final four we were left with Trev, Jillian, Nona, and Russell. Now, none of these four were someone I originally wanted to win. But since that is all we are left with I’ve decided to pull for Nona. The whole season Trev has been picked on by the other contestants and he just keeps on whining about it. Man I can’t stand that guy. No one can. It is completely understandable. He keeps messing up the food, he can’t cook, and his attitude is grating. He lived up to all of his annoying habits tonight as well by failing at the challenge and then messing up over and over at the dinner service.

Jillian has fared better on this show. While her voice is a little annoying to me, I was never impressed with her. She just always went on in the middle of the pack. Tonight she did pretty well though. She won the challenge despite having no clue of how to fuse cuisine from Thailand and Spain. She impressed the judges quite a bit. At the dinner service she did wonderfully on the meat station but messed up a little while running the pass and got screwed by Trev who couldn’t cook a piece of Halibut to save his life.

Nona has always been good. She has personality and never really bothered me. She can also cook very well. While she has messed up from time to time she has deserved to make it this far. On tonight’s episode Nona didn’t impress during the challenge. At dinner service she was great on garnish, which is good since she has fallen apart on that station before. When running the pass she had just one slip up and everything else was great.

Finally we come to the obnoxious Russell. I can’t stand that guy. Before tonight I just disliked him because he was so cocky and had this attitude that he was better than Ramsay. Tonight my dislike for him turned to hate. Yes guys, I said hate. My hate stems from everything I already said and for the fact that in a flashback clip Russell was wearing an old school “white rapper” visor that was cocked to the side. Really Russell? Really? Well tonight he lived up to his (insert expletive here) behaviors. He failed on the challenge and did all right at dinner service.

Now we have come to the big decision. Easy enough Trev was sent home first. He definitely should have left a LONG time ago. Now my mother and I were both hoping to see both girls in the final. But of course we knew better. Russell was named as the first of the final two. Hence my “ugh.” So we then learned that Nona made it to the final two. Sorry Jillian, it just wasn’t meant to be. But be happy, Gordon let you keep your jacket, and he almost never does that. So next week is the final episode of this season. Clearly I am pulling for Nona to win. Russell cannot win this. Even if he does the best next week and really deserves it, I hope Ramsay gives it to Nona just because no one wants to hear that cocky jerk gloat about winning. Let’s get it right this season Gordon!

I give this episode a solid four frames. If you had chosen Jillian and Nona then you would have gotten five frames Gordon.

Head on over to the forum at www.j1studios.com and talk about how horrible it was that Russell made it to the final two. Or you could tell me I'm wrong for hating him. But that probably won't change my mind.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part I) (2010)

2010-11-30T08:52:00.006-05:00

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I (2010)
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Running Time: 146 minutes
Director: David Yates

Ahhhh, Harry Potter. Brings back memories of my nephew insisting upon replaying, just the first half and the first half ony (before getting distracted) of both Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone along with the Chamber of Secrets. A child's love for mystery and magic and also that, quite simply, they are watching a story about a child - something in an of itself, relatable! Ogers, ghouls, wizards, wands, all wrapped up in an edge-of-your-seat tale. We are now on the first half of a two-parter based off of the seventh novel in the series (whew!). Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part I) is quite dark. As I'm told though, it has stuck closely with what was first written, with minor alterations. (possibly done to prevent the likelihood of confusing things, leaving too many details open-ended or simply for time constraints). The author of the series, J. K. Rowling, intended to have Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) grow up with its readers. As many have, fans would now be a bit older and thus not dissuaded from the intense experiences older Harry Potter goes through - they are gloomy, dark and truly terrifying. At this point in time, Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) is gaining more and more control over all that muggles wizards have come to know. We are introduced to everyone amidst those who comprise the Order of the Phoenix (a society of those whose aim it is to prevent anything Voldemort) and cleverly plan a way to bring Harry to their designated safe spot. This group naturally contained Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint). The goal is, well to live, but to defeat Voldemort, whose minions have taken over The Ministry of Magic and are attempting to rid the world of muggles (those who have neither any magical abilities or born into the magical world). Their only hope is to obtain all of the Horcruxes - magical items used to gain immortality; this is the only way to defeat the immortal Lord Voldemort.

The relationship between the trio is quite real; a reflection of the history of highs and lows that friends experience and, especially when they all have some sort of chemistry - the drama. There are a couple characters too who don't make it very far and with this you feel that this really could be the end! (I have not read any of the novels and do not know yet what is to happen - I'm an outsider!) I would advise though for parents to be cautioned. While there have been deaths mostly either spoken about, implied, led up to and one somewhat shown in previous Potter movies, the one at the beginning of this film is hard to watch. While it does not resort to being gruesome, the knowledge that this individual was likely roughed up and is then shown as a trophy is a little disturbing. While there are most certainly scenes in the first six films that some could attach the same warning too, this was striking as it could've been taken out of the magical, youth world and plopped righted into another movie. Ok, possibly just a portion of it. My point is more the effect to the viewer! In addition, there is a scene with Ron being injured that, I believe, is not for all eyes.

Indeed though, the heights at which we become immersed in the well being of all those who are attempting to defeat evil. There are resounding themes; good over evil, the pain of discrimination, friendship, resilience; all well-balanced throughout. The graphics too are great, as expected.

The only detrimental factors in my opinion were, the length of down time in the woods (yes we have to understand that time that was spent looking for a Holcrux yet do we really have to see Hermione & Harry dancing?), the length of the movie (although it may be just me bothered by this, I'm old) and some of the dark scenes (simply as a warning to those taking children along; I personally wouldn't advise or younger than 11).

All in all, a solid film. Something about it was quite amazing and yet still something a bit forgettable. A good indicator is if whether or not I can or cannot stop thinking or talking about it. It was right there amidst the in between! It definitely does wins points for heart, love of the characters and detail!

I give this a three and a half out of four frames!

As IF you haven't seen the trailer ;)

Go see it & post your opinions on the forum!

Danae signing off!

sources: traileraddict.com; wikipedia.org

Coco has returned!

2010-11-14T21:46:00.006-05:00

Conan
Channel: TBS (check your local listings)
Day/Time: Monday-Thursday at 11pm

CO-NAN! CO-NAN! CO-NAN! CO-NAN! CO-NAN! I guess you can tell I’m excited that Conan O’Brien is back on late night. Millions of people have been anxiously anticipating his return since his untimely demise from the Tonight Show over on NBC. You can now find Conan’s new show, aptly named “Conan,” on TBS. They have been hyping up his return for months now so you know they had to deliver. Deliver they did.

Conan pretty much had to come back just as good, if not ridiculously better than when he was on NBC. He had to make them regret the day that they royally screwed him and all of his staff. Personally, I think that his five minute introduction video of what happened “last season on Conan” did just that. I was laughing from beginning to end. Along with Conan we get his signature self-deprecating monologue. He certainly poked a lot of fun at himself and his prior situation. One of the best jokes was that he named his show “Conan” so that no one else could host it but him. He is now backed up by the Basic Cable Band, who isn’t let by the usual Max Weinberg, but is now being led by Jimmy Vivino. It’s basically the old band minus Max.

The show lined up a pretty decent troop of guests for the first week. The first show featured a performance of Conan and Jack White from the White Stripes. Amazing! The second show had Academy Award winning Tom Hanks showing off his vast knowledge of whales. And they soaked him! Hilarious! Third show brought us Jon Hamm of Mad Men fame. Genius! The fourth show gave us Michael Cera and the comedic styling of Jon Dore. And that’s only one example from each show.

I have to say that I LOVED the first week. If I had any complaints it would be that it isn’t five nights a week. You only get Conan Monday-Thursday. And as my boyfriend pointed out, how is he really supposed to compete with the other late night shows if he is only on four nights a week while everyone else is on five. But his numbers weren’t bad. The first show brought in about 4.2 million viewers. While his numbers did slip as the week progressed (averaging about 2.7 million a night) I don’t think that is any indication that in another nine months he will be on another network. All in all I think Conan on TBS is a success. I look forward to watching him night after night and laughing my butt off.

I give Conan’s new late night show 5 frames out of 5. I love him and I love the new show and I know it can only get better from here.

Here is the clip of what happened "last season on Conan."

For any and all info regarding Conan's new show head on over to www.teamcoco.com

Until next time kids, this has been Hava.

What Is To Come...

2010-11-02T00:00:00.001-04:00

I haven't been to the theater in awhile *tear falls down cheek* and that's due to both the fizzunds ($) and that there have been only a few movies I feel are worth those limited funds. I do still hope to soon see SAW 3D - The Final Chapter (because naturally you need to see those graphics in 3D ;)), The Town, Let Me In and The Social Network. Other than those selections, I'm not feeling that excited. I then decided that it's just wrong for me not to be excited about something in the movie realm and upon my quest for that which I hope to enthrall me, the following were chosen:

Tron Legacy (2010)

Maybe I'm wrong by not having seen the original yet (hey, I'm young!) but I am nonetheless looking forward to this. The pure aesthetics look so clean, beautiful and truly like real life meets the computer world. I'm going to Netflix the original film prior to seeing this, to not do so I believe would be wrong! Most of you likely know the premise but in summary, Kevin Flynn, who got caught in a computer program in the original film (Tron - 1982), tries to contact Sam Flynn, his son (who is now an adult). Sam, of course, gets pulled into the same world and will try to escape, maybe even with the hopes of bringing back his father. The film is being released December 17, 2010.

Unknown (2010)

This is the first I heard of this but Liam Neeson rarely disappoints. The premise is that of a man who post-accident, finds that his identity and his life, have been replaced! Someone, or ones, want him out of the picture; he embarks on a search to try to get his life back with the hope that amidst this struggle, he not only can he get back his stolen identity, but that he doesn't lose his life all over again in this endeavor. Set to be released February 18, 2011.

Tangled (2010)

A twist on the story of The Brothers Grimm's fairy tale, Rapunzel. There's not much to say except to watch the trailer; very silly and I'm certain chalk full of life lessons for all ages. Set to be released during the Thanksgiving holiday.

That's all for now, holler at me if there are films I should be on the lookout for in the near future!

Danae signing off!

source:traileraddict.com

I have to miss my shows for this?

2010-10-27T22:10:00.004-04:00

World Series anyone? No? Oh, you all must be Philadelphia Phillies fans like I am then. Yeah it’s true the Phillies didn’t make it. Neither did the Yankees. All we are left with are the Texas Rangers and the San Fransico Giants. Now I’m sure they have fans and all who want to watch them play but how many could there possibly be here in Philly? Since I no longer have a stake in the World Series I am lamenting the fact that I can’t watch my usual FOX programming.

If you follow my writings then you are probably saying to yourselves right now, she doesn’t watch that many shows on FOX. This is true. But the shows that I do watch are now falling on the days when games will be played. The first game is being played on a Wednesday, which we all know is Hell’s Kitchen night. I am horribly devoted to Hell’s Kitchen since its inception. Having it put off for something as trivial as a game between the Rangers and Giants, I mean this is people’s lives here. They don’t make millions of dollars already like the ballplayers do. They need to win this show. And I don’t like to be put off while watching something so serious. It’s like being interrupted for a test of the emergency broadcasting system while in the middle of the State of Union address. It just simply shouldn’t be done. What’s worse is that if the World Series should happen to run into game 6 then I will be missing Hell’s Kitchen TWICE! TWICE! That is just unacceptable!

Other shows I am missing are The Simpsons, Family Guy, and American Dad. I know I don’t speak about them on here but they are a few of my tried and true favorites. I have followed The Simpsons and Family Guy for many years now. I have a lot riding on them making my Sunday evenings comedic and hilarious. Many jokes have spawned from this Sunday evening programming. I didn’t appreciate when my Family Guy was taken away from me all those years ago and I won’t stand for it to be taken away again.

My favorite Saturday evening show, Cops, will also be missed. I love Cops. I have always loved Cops. I think it’s hilarious what some of these people think they can get away with. Now, don’t get me wrong, the caliber of crimes and criminals and chases and all that have severely gone down over the years, but it is still fine quality programming. I don’t like to miss my Cops. I will find myself staying up at 3am on weekdays just watch old reruns of it.

Now I know this whole post is somewhat hypocritical since if the Phillies had made it to the World Series to play the Rangers it’s very possible that I wouldn’t care that I’m missing these shows. And since the Phillies didn’t make it I care immensely. I fully admit to my hypocriticalness and I’m okay with it. Standing on this side of the World Series I mourn my regularly scheduled programming. I’m sure you do too.

So head over to j1studios.com in the forum and tell me what shows you are missing on FOX because of the World Series or just tell me to stop whining cause my team did itself in. Either way, I can take it.

Until next time kids, this has been Hava.

Dexter - "don't get caught"!

2010-10-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

Dexter

Season 5's premier begins directly after the unbelievable season 4 finale; Rita’s death, no, her murder! Truly, I mean, truly incredible. Everyone I know couldn't comprehend how the series could continue after the Trinity killer took Dexter's wife out, leaving him behind as a single father. In fact, neither could I. This is an apparent oxymoron - a serial killer as a functional & loving single parent to three kids? Aside from that, his guilt from that which could’ve been prevented, (prevented by him), is something quite new to him. Dexter has experienced a hint of this emotion called guilt when he kills his first innocent in Season 4. It happens as he rushes to end the life of a seemingly sick photographer only to discover that the culprit was instead the victim's the assistant. This was a violation of the code his father always drilled in him, to never kill an innocent. Yet what occurred before could easily be dismissed in light of the current truth: he had the opportunity to kill the Trinity killer before his wife fell victim. And he didn't. Now he has to decide what exactly is next. How does he now live his life; as a mourning husband, single parent, miami metro analyst, serial killer?

The pacing of this season started out slowly, and maybe deservedly so, for Dexter was fighting with this new experience. He actually loved her and doesn't know quite how to cope. His eldest two step children move, at least temporarily, and stay with Rita's parents while he remains living in (now) Deb's apartment with her and the baby, Harrison. He wants to believe that he can take it a step at a time, even avoiding his urges, yet we, and he, know better. Dexter's mental debates with the ghost of his father elaborate on the defense of his capability to keep his son out of his "adventures". Yet Harrison, in just the second episode, gets a trip with his father while Dexter tests a spot of blood, hinting at what we're all thinking; is Harrison going to end up just like his dad? And not even from biological tendencies, but from Dexter's direct influence?

This past weeks episode 4, entitled "beauty and the Beast", introduces us to a character who will remain throughout the rest of the season: Lumen, played by Julia Stiles. After the surprise Boyd gives him in trying to capture him, Dexter "secures" the site for his extermination yet finds out that not only was he not alone, there was a witness: Lumen. Lumen is Boyd's planned victim who, naturally, has little family and certainly none looking for her. Dexter in his debonair way ;), convinces her he means her no harm. He certainly doesn't want a liability but also doesn't want to end the life of one who hadn't done a thing. The closing scene reveals that Lumen wasn't victimized by Boyd alone, thus segwaying into what will likely be Dexter and Lumen's avenging adventures. We are also following Deb's investigation of the beheading murderer, Quinn's determination to implicate Dexter as being a killer and LaGuerta & Battista's internal affairs situation, all over a bar fight about LaGuerta's, er, bedroom (or closet) tendencies. I'm anxious to see how this season will play out. I try not to do much predicting as I honestly love the surprises, but I'm sure Deb & Dexter will not live together that much longer; as much as they all love and need one another, Dexter's secretive lifestyle can only stay that way with minimal questions.

Seasons one through four were a blast, between Dexter's discovery of his blood brother to the ego struggle of Miguel vs. Dex; I have no doubt that what is to come will bring more nail-biting and breathe-holding fun!

In addition, here is a link to those desiring some further Dexter indulgence: http://dexterwiki.sho.com/

P.S.: The season's guest appearances are: Jonny Lee Miller, April Lee Hernandez, Shawn Hatosy, Julia Stiles and Katherine Moennig.

So far I give this season a three and a half frames out of five:

Here's a preview of the next episode, entitled "First Blood":

Shoot me an email or post on the forum for more Dexter Discussions!!

Danae signing off!!

source: youtube.com

They're dropping like flies

2010-10-06T23:05:00.005-04:00

So already this new season we have lost at least 2 shows that were supposed to be big, My Generation and Lone Star. What is really sad is that these shows were canceled after only two episodes each. Personally I don't think these shows were given a chance. How are you really supposed to know how well a show will perform after only two episodes?

Lone Star was much publicized and hyped up. The critics loved it. I thought it wasn't that bad. It had potential. It was airing on Mondays on FOX. Yes Mondays are packed with shows that are pretty good and now we have Monday night football so that's always tough. It was a hard sell for that night. I think that if they had moved it to a different night, or just started it on a different night all together it could have gone further. The show had a good premise (see an earlier review of mine of the upfronts) and good, strong actors to carry it. I think FOX let this one go too soon.

Unlike Lone Star, My Generation got next to no publicity. And the publicity it did get was all through the internet. They tried to make it some sort of viral text, blog undercover thing. They wanted to market it to the younger crowd so they thought that sort of ad campaign would draw it a following. Unfortunately, they were wrong. Hardly any people heard of it. They only started to show commercial previews and put up billboards and whatnot about a month before preview date. I think by then it was too late. The idea of the show made sense. I could see where the younger set might find it interesting. I just think they went about it the wrong way. Documentary style is interesting, but too many things are being done that way now that it no longer is as interesting as it once was. I think this show may have been canceled in the near future, but not until mid season when they trot out the shows they didn't have too much confidence in.

I'm sure these shows won't be the last in early cancellations. There may be shows out there on better days and times that seem to be drawing attention but in the end will lose out to tried and true shows that everyone is use to. What positive thing can we say for these shows? At least they didn't end up like Blonde Charity Mafia, Day One, or Our Little Genius. What? You haven't heard of these? I'm shocked you never heard of shows that never even made it to air. So at least My Generation and Lone Star got two episodes. There are many other shows that got the axe after one. Talk about no hope or faith in their abilities to produce an audience. Well, I salute you shows. You made a valiant effort. You could have been amazing. You could have been a contender. But your networks failed you in either one way or another. You weren't the first, and you certainly will not be the last.

In your honor, instead of awarding you frames, I will award you a moment of silence consisting of five seconds for each show. You will be missed by some and not by many since they never got the chance to experience you.

Head on over to the forum at www.j1studios.com and discuss what you think about networks canceling shows early, if you thought these shows should have been given a chance, or even what shows you think should get the boot next. Or just put it in the comments here.

Till next time kids, this has been Hava.

Fall TV Premiers!!!

2010-09-28T00:37:00.023-04:00

Glee

This week's premier episode left off with Rachel & Finn as a steady couple, Sue Sylvester & Will Schuster are still rampant rivals yet have seemed to arrived at a grudgingly acknowledged but never spoken, limited level of respect for one another, Quinn has given birth and over the summer has gotten her body back, and thus assumedly regained her popularity, Tina and Mike (the latter more known as the "other Asian", whom the camera consistently focuses on not so much for lines as for a dancing opportunity) hooked up over the summer as tutors at an Asian-student related camp (!), Artie is quite bitter about the break up with the aforementioned Tina and is determined now to get her back and, excitingly, we’re given a glimpse of potential new cast members. Sunshine is a foreign exchange student with a voice like Christina – and naturally, a very threatened Rachel is not having it. Sam is a new student and member of the football team. His audition to the Glee club was received with flying colors yet the negative stigma associated with being a member may prove to dissuade any decision to join. The season two premier was Glee’s highest viewership to date with over 12 million – reflecting the anxiousness of its watchers. The episode in and of itself was good (not bad, not great). The writers are likely attempting to set the pacing for what is to come so possibly they desired not to give us greedy watchers too many incredible acts in one episode? One episode aside; while I certainly may be living vicariously through this show (having not attended a traditional high school), the energy, the variety of song choices, the shrewd and witty Sue and her rivalry, no, make that attempt at annihilation of Will, the chemistry between particular characters etc continue to make this show this an absolute must-see. You are not too late to catch up – this is only the beginning of season two; make with haste!

I give this premier a 3.5 out of 5 frames:

The Undercovers

I only somewhat anticipated J.J. Abrams' (creator of Alias, Lost & Fringe) new spy-drama about former CIA agents, who happen to now be married and are in a family-run catering business. They have both retired from government business yet the disappearance of an old comrade actualizes a part of them that is reminiscent for the old adventures. Gugu Mbatha-Raw plays the wife, Samantha Bloom and Boris Kodjo plays the husband, Steven Bloom. (Side note: Gugu Mbatha-Raw is of English and South African descent with Boris Kodjo is of Ghanian and German descent; two non-white actors were the main stars in a prime time drama - great news!) The plot seemed original enough for tv yet not unique enough to intrigue me on its own. It was my dedication to Abrams that brought me wide-eyed, in front of the flat screen in my dining room at 8pm this past Wednesday. J.J. Abrams has never let me (or anyone I know) down so it was with an earnest attitude I tuned into the season premier. Started out a bit choppy, with Gugu clearly being a new actress. She wasn't bad yet I've watched enough tv/movies to recognize a beginner. I'm all for paving your way so no worries; she has a good partner with the more seasoned Boris. The episode tried its best to fit in appeal/glamour (they traveled all over the world), comedy (their contact in Spain was a purposefully annoying kiss-up; played well by Ben Schwartz), conflict (it's a spy drama, of course there's always an enemy-per-episode!) and cleverness (they call their adventures "sexpionage"). Yet why wasn't I impressed? I was disappointed at the cheesy acting of one of the bad guy's henchmen. This is a late night premier, simply required a bit of editing! May seem picky but when you have the opportunity to gain big audiences - take the time. The end result was a bit sloppy and I hate to say it: uninteresting. I'm going to tune in again this week with an open mind and high hopes for what this season could be. PUH-LEASE J.J., don't fail me now!!!

I give this premier a 2.5 out of 5 frames:

If there were any premiers this past week that you thought were sweeeeet - post them on the forum or email me. If, dare I say, Undercovers fails me this week, I'll require a fill-in.

Danae signing off!

They're baaaccckkkk

2010-09-20T00:20:00.006-04:00

So shows have started to come back and you know I'm excited. Some of my favorite crappy shows are back and I was all over them. This is just an overview of what happened in the season openers and where I think they are going.

First up we have one of my favorites, Gossip Girl. Last we left it Blair and Serena were off to Paris to forget about guys, Chuck was shot in the stomach in Prague where he had gone to forget about Blair, Nate was heartbroken by Serena and sought comfort in Chuck's little black book of whores, Dan and Vanessa seem to be on the outs and Vanessa runs off to do some documentary in Haiti, and good old Georgina had surprised Dan with a big "guess what I'm pregnant and its yours."

As the show goes on you pretty much see what the group has been doing over the summer. By the end of the show you are pretty much caught up on everyone. Serena has pretty much been sleeping her way around Paris. If they were a man then it was a safe bet she had sex with them. Oh yeah, and she got into Columbia University somehow, which is the school Blair will be attending. Blair on the otherhand has just been reading in the park and looking at her favorite Manet paintings and hasn't found a man to help her get over Chuck. But don't fret readers, she does meet one, and he is a Prince from Monocco. A double date ensues and you have the old prince pretending to be the driver routine which gets Serena pushed in a fountain because Blair is jealous that she always gets everything great with no effort. Oh yeah, and she is extra upset that Serena is going to Columbia because she knows she will be upstaged by her for the umpteenth time and just wants something of her own damnit. Chuck is not dead surprisingly. He was rescued from near death by some strange French girl who nurses him back to health in her apartment. Chuck finding the oppurtunity to be someone new decides he's going to be called Henry now and when he was better they went off to Paris for him to relax. We all know what that means.

Back in NYC, Nate has been diligently going through the black book but mysteriously feels no better after his breakup. He runs into a somewhat older woman in a restaurant while out with one of the bimbos and proceeds to pour his heart out to her about what he has been doing all summer and gives a little game. Of course the woman takes the bait. But as we see towards the end of the show that this woman isn't who she is claiming to be and seems to be stalking Nate. For what reason? We have to wait and see. Vanessa comes back to find that Georgina had the baby and has been shacking up with Dan the entire summer. And surprise surprise Dan hasn't told anyone about the new addition. Vanessa is understandably upset but oddly still tries to stand beside her friend/man. She is very skeptical of Georgina, and with reason. It finally comes out to Dan's dad, Rufus, and his wife, Lily, during some party at their place because Georgina crashes. They are skeptical and demand a paternity test. Georgina is ready for that one and shows some paper, which we can only assume is doctored up, saying Dan is the dad. And guess what, everyone believes it. The fools. So the show seems to be promising. They delivered in the first episode and I'm eagerly anticipating more.

Here is a clip of what is happening next episode.

Vampire Diaries is also back! Thank goodness because I have been wondering all summer what has been going on. Last we left it Katherine was back and posing as Elena who is her doppleganger. Caroline and Matt were in a car accident and Caroline was given some of Damon's blood. Since he is a vampire it will bring her back to life with it's healing powers. We also see that Damon has feelings for Elena, which isn't good because she is with his also vampire brother, Stefan. And we have all seen how nasty it can get between those two over a girl.

So when it came back it picked right back up. Katherine was in full b**ch mode and trying stir things up. It finally comes out that she came back to profess her eternal love for Stefan. He turns her down because, unlike Damon, he hasn't been pining away for her all these decades and loves Elena. Damon is heartbroken when he finds this out. Katherine goes off, heartbroken as well, and smothers Caroline in the hospital as a warning that she is gone for good. Damon on the other hand gets drunk and goes to Elena to profess his feelings and in a rage snaps the neck of Elena's brother Jeremy. Thankfully Jeremy is now wearing a ring that has a spell on it to keep him alive so he isn't completely dead.

Caroline, since she still had the vampire blood in her system, is brought back to life. As per the rules and regulations of becomming a vampire she must now feed on blood to completely become one. Well, being locked in a hospital didn't help her fight that urge and she is now a vampire. Saddly Matt has no idea. The rest try to carry on as normal teenagers and plan the carnival for school. They just can't get away from their problems though. Caroline gets out of jail and starts feeding on people. Her friends then find out. Damon is now catching on to something else supernatural in the town in the form of a returned uncle to one of the kids' classmates. Some investigating is done and seems that they are trying to paint him as a werewolf (which if true I will be sorely upset that they feel they have to go the Twilight route) and it being possibly that his nephew could be one too. This season seems to be going in a direction I wasn't expecting. I'm curious to see how this whole Caroline thing will pan out. I'm also praying that we won't see the emergence of werewolfs. If it happens, I hope it happens in the great Seth Green as Oz on Buffy the Vampire Slayer way, and not in the Twilight way.

Here is a clip of the upcoming episode.

Well guys, this is it for now. Next week is premier week so I will be coming back with opinion of new shows this season. Head over to the forum at www.j1studios.com and discuss these shows. Or any returning shows for that matter. Or you could just have at it right here in the comments.

Till next time kids, this has been Hava.

Miniviews!

2010-09-08T09:50:00.016-04:00

As I am an individual of fleeting attention span, I've concluded that this day I will bless you with miniviews = multiple, (hopefully) meritable miniature reviews (hush, I know its cheesy but that's who I am) . This is also quite convenient for those on the go who can only read a paragraph before they focus on something.... hey look, Jimmy Fallon is on, I haven't gotten to watch him recently, speaking of which, SNL either.... oops, apologies. Have to keep it focused and concise - this 'ol brain doesn't work like it used to.

PLEASE email me to advise of approval or disappointment on this option...

The Expendables (2010)

Directed by Sylvester Stallone, starring (himself as Barney Ross), Jason Statham as Lee Christmas, Jet Li as Yin Yang, Mickey Rourke as Tool, Dolph Lundgren as Gunner Jensen, and others. Genre: action/adventure. Rated: R. Running time: 103 minutes. This unforgettable team of mercenaries for hire are commissioned to travel to South America on a highly hazardous job. They determine the situation formidable enough to turn the job down, yet in true tough-guy-with-a-heart-of-gold spiritedness, Barney can't return home knowing their contact Sandra (Giselle Itie) may not survive in this country ruled by a dictator. For anyone that grew up on Rocky, Terminator, Commando, Indiana Jones, Kickboxer, Lethal Weapon, Robocop etc... this film was tremendously anticipated. Body slamming, flesh piercing, spine shattering heaven: a face-off between Stallone and Steve Austin made me teary-eyed as I didn't dare blink. The exchange between Lee and Lundgren is not to be skipped and, preferably rewinded. The heart of the movie (true 80's action flick) is great with all the people we love to see kick butt. A couple peeves were both that I didn't get to see certain characters more, and that the dialogue leaves a bit to be desired. I am an advocate for understanding a movie as it is; you don't expect incredible revelations in a film like Bloodsport. Yet we do need a bit of balance - some character development, toss in a bit of humor, hopefully a fairly well-written story. All of these are here with the exception of the dialogue - you can't help but notice that the script wasn't written by a writer - a few of the exchanges between Stallone & Rourke, or Li & Stallone were a bit, um, coarse. Nonetheless, for all you action buffs - a thumbs up. This film receives a 3 and a half out of 5 frames!

Trailer:

Here's one on DVD:

Splice (2009)

Directed by Vincenzo Natali. Starring Adrien Brody as Clive Nicoli, Sarah Polley as Else Kast & Delphine Chaneac as Dren. Genre: Sci-fi & Drama. Rated: R. Running Time: 104 minutes. Clive & Else are two scientists working on animal genes via splicing - the unity of more than two genes. They don't have the authority yet commit to something that both hadn't been done before and wasn't, quite, ethical. Amidst pressure from Else, the pair splice a human gene into the code and before they know it, Dren is created. In time they learn just how amazing she is as she has adopted the best of each creature that forms who she is. The observation of her growth is thrilling yet they have no idea how in over their heads they truly are. The topic of human gene testing/therapy is a testy one, understandably, and while they talked a bit about the integrity of it, more reflective of the complexities were the interactions between Dren & Else and the exchange of whether or not to keep going or end the experiment, between Else and Clive. Should a being such as this be treated as human or as animal? Who decides? Is there a punishment for giving in to animalistic tendencies when formed of multiple species? The idea is gnarly, if indeed it could/would ever occur, with these questions not being answered but certainly, at least from my perspective, cautioned against! Please be prepared to be uncomfortable. I've viewed some movies that others wouldn't dare yet my jaw dropped (and a little screech uttered) at some of the places they took this story. A definite dvd recommend, and not for those easily disturbed. This movie too gets a three and a half out of five frames.

Trailer:

To reiterate - shoot me a quick email or post on the forum your thoughts on my movie ratings and anything else that comes to mind!

Danae signing off!

source: imdb.com, traileraddict.com

The Last Exorcism

2010-08-30T08:30:00.007-04:00

The Last Exorcism (2010)

Rated: PG13

Genre: Horror, Thriller

Run Time: 100 minutes

Director: Daniel Stamm

Hopefully this is the last exorcism. I don’t think I can sit through another young girl throwing up on herself and talking in a possessed voice that clearly isn’t her own. Now I must preface this review with the explanation that I don’t get scared at scary movies anymore. I haven’t for a long time now. So each time I go in with the hopes that I will be scared or creeped out. Unfortunately this time I was not. However, there were many people in the theater who were scared and screaming. I can see where most people would be scared. So for the general movie public, I think you’ll be afraid, if not jump a few times.

So the movie, it’s interesting. The approach was different. It is documentary style where they are following a preacher, Cotton Marcus, who once did exorcisms all the time but has lost his faith and is now set to show exorcisms for the hoaxes that they are. This is supposed to be the last exorcism that he ever does. So he heads out to the backwoods in Louisiana and meets a father who is concerned that his daughter is possessed. So you see the preacher, played brilliantly I must admit by Patrick Fabian, go about his routine for rigging up a great exorcism. He assures the family the demon is gone and he and his film crew leave. But they have clearly gotten more than they have bargained for with this family.

Now I warn you that there will be spoilers after this point so if you don’t want to know what happens you should stop reading now. The weird starts with the girl, Nell, showing up in the preacher’s hotel room in the middle of the night. They take her to the hospital where she checks out fine. Once back at her house the crew gets the feeling that something isn’t right with the family and that maybe the girl needs some psychiatric help. They come back from seeing the local minister and find that the girl has cut her brother’s face wide open. They offer to stay with the girl while the dad takes him to the hospital. At this point this is where you start to see that the girl really is possessed by something. The film crew and Cotton though still want to hold on to the belief that the girl just needs a therapist. They learn that the girl is pregnant and right away think there is some creepy incest action going on. Nell starts acting strange and throwing up and disturbing pictures of how the film crew is going to die. Nell starts attacking the crew and trashes her room and it gets weird. The group is starting to think maybe she is possessed. When the dad gets back they confront him about the pregnancy and of course he insists his daughter is a virgin. They make another attempt at a real exorcism. Here comes out the “possessed voice” and weird body contortions and back bends. The actress, who played Nell, Ashley Bell, was very convincing. This exorcism ends very abruptly and they think they have gotten the demon out. It then comes out that she had sex with a boy in town and never told anyone. So the film crew has the local minister come out and they pray with the girl thinking that will help. Then the film crew packs up and leaves.

This would have been a disappointing ending so they didn’t end it there. While leaving they stop and talk to the boy who supposedly got Nell pregnant. He says it never happened and he’s gay so it would never happen. Now normal people would just keep going home but not these people. They head back thinking the girl lied to cover up for the dad and incest. When they get to the house no one is there and the house is covered in satanic cult signs and has been trashed. They hear a commotion and chanting from out in the woods and go and check it out. In a surprise twist, which honestly I didn’t see coming, the father is tied to a post blindfolded and the local minister, his wife, and the congregation are chanting and in robes and seem to be helping Nell with going through labor. When she gives birth the baby doesn’t seem to look human and then the minister throws the baby into the large bonfire they have going. The crew is saying they have to get out of there but Cotton stupidly goes out towards the crowd and tries to fight them with Jesus. That’s the only way I can explain it. The crew starts to run and unfortunately don’t make it and actually end up dying the way Nell’s pictures foretold. The movie ends with the POV of the camera guy looking at Nell’s brother who then cuts his head off with a scythe and the body falls to the ground.

From my point of view, it wasn’t great. It had promise, like most scary movies do. The acting was pretty good. I was impressed by that. And I was pleased that there was a twist I didn’t see coming. That hardly ever happens. Overall though, I was disappointed. I wasn’t scared and they cut the movie off when it was getting interesting. The general public however will be scared. So if you like to be scared go see it. There are many weird details I didn’t include in here. Overall I give this movie 3 1/2 frames. But that's just based on my personal tastes.

Feel free to discuss this movie here or over at the j1studios forum under Picture On A Wall.

Until next time kids, this has been Hava.

Batman: City of Scars... Watch it here!

2010-08-27T00:00:00.003-04:00

Batman: City of Scars

Enjoy this 30 minute short film made by Aaron Schoenke with a budget of $27,000, which is nothing in the movie industry! Not only was this a low budget fan film, but this was also filmed within a month!!!

Story:

When the Joker escapes from Arkham and murders the parents of a young boy, Batman recalls the pain of losing his own parents as a child. He is pushed past his limits to the point where his focus becomes revenge on all who stand in his way, including many of Gotham’s underworld. Finally, Batman is forced to look at the psychological profile of his own mind and accept the consequences of his life to find resolve.

Characters to look out for:

Joker

Harley Quinn

Mr. Zsasz

Scarface and his Ventriloquist Wesker

WATCH IT BELOW!

What did you think? Let us know through here, or through the J1 Studios forum under "Picture On aWall".

My apologies

2010-08-25T01:00:00.002-04:00

Hey faithful readers. Blogger has been giving me some problems with uploading pictures and videos. When it cooperates I will post up some videos from "Flipping Out." Thank you very much for your understanding.

Hava

When I flip, you flip, we flip!

2010-08-25T00:29:00.006-04:00

"Flipping Out"

Channel- Bravo

Day & Time- Tuesdays @ 9pm est

So have you ever had a boss who was very demanding and likes everything “just so” and is anal about everything? Well if you have, times that by a million and you will have Jeff Lewis from the Bravo show “Flipping Out.” The show is centered on Jeff and the employees at his company. What they do is “flip” houses; which is buying houses, fixing them up, and then selling them for a profit. Jeff has lately been doing a lot of remodeling and design work since the housing market tanked. But they went through all that turmoil in the last season. The new season, which started last week, is all about getting back into business and getting more jobs and making some more money. Also, the season is apparently about grooming some of his assistants to take on my responsibilities in the company.

These first two episodes threw you back into Jeff’s world and all the new work and projects he is working on. He has a couple clients from the previous season but he has some pretty interesting new clients. Some have big personalities, as Jeff puts it. He has big projects, such as remodeling a well-known restaurant that has a lot of history out in Los Angeles. He is also helping to design and model a house in northern CA that is being built.

While the whole show is about the flipping and remodeling of these houses and the work that they do the most compelling stuff is how Jeff behaves. He is extremely sarcastic, has OCD tendencies, and expects you to know what he wants before he wants it. He isn’t the most orthodox of bosses. He will ask you to do things you wouldn’t expect from your employer (i.e. ask for your urine to keep coyotes away from the property). His punishments for messing up on the job are different (i.e. having to wear a smock/jumpsuit all day no matter where you have to go). He has no problem yelling at you when he thinks that you’ve messed up in someone. One of the reasons why the show is called “Flipping Out.”

I personally don’t mind Jeff’s mood swings. But I deal with crazy people for a living so this is nothing new to me. Other people may not take so kindly to his attitudes and way of doing business and all of his personal proclivities. There is no other company I would rather watch to do these jobs though. His employees are amazing. Some hilarious and some still trying to figure Jeff out. I can try to explain Jeff and his employees but it’s really something that has to be watch. So I will provide a couple clips for you to enjoy.

I give this show 5 frames. It may be biased since I love the man to death but if you watch the show you will see how fair that rating is.

Well, until next time kids, this has been Hava!

Scott Pilgrim vs the World

2010-08-17T00:00:00.004-04:00

Scott Pilgrim vs the World (2010)
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Action, Adventure
Running Time: 112 minutes
Director: Edgar Wright

Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is a 23 year old dating a high-schooler. Yes. Indeed. Who is this guy and why should we care? We should at the least be interested because he's an awkward yet gutsy kid whose world consists of playing (um, if you can call it that) bass in his band (Sex Bob-omb), who is also out of work and sharing a teeny apartment with his gay, quick-witted roommate Wallace (Kieran Culkin). He, amidst even dating a high schooler, meets the girl of his dreams... with a catch. This girl, Ramona (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), is amazing yet the path to win her isn't an easy one. They have great, even other worldly chemistry but chemistry won't win the battles against her exes. Seven of them. He learns amidst a rough encounter that to date her, he has to fight, and win, against all of her seven evil exes.

Why how could it be that there is ANOTHER comic book turned movie?! You'd think after the success, even overdoing, of quite a few in this area - the hype would die down. That or a director would screw up and we'd learn not to put all our marbles in one bag. Yet the author of the series, Bryan Lee O'Malley, should be commended on creating such a creative, homage-to-all-things-geeky while still relatable, out of this world and truly lovable story.

The silliness is so much fun; comic-type thought-like bubbles appear to clarify and provide emphasis, the quips from everyone, Scott's ex and drummer in their band, Kim (Alison Pill) gives us her dry and even bitter two cents, Wallace is that friend to state the obvious, yet not because he doesn't get it - but because he does! Ode's to comic books and video games were abundant. If Scott beat an ex he'd win coins and depending upon the difficulty level, could get from $2 bucks to $7k. Hilarious scenes were plentiful. For example, when Scott is fighting an ex named "Roxy", she states something clever (as a threat) and he asks as if it were a quote from a film,"Where's that from?" and she responds "My brain". Corny = yes. Amusing = quite. This new genre seems to be what's happening (Kick-Ass for e.g.) and it may get old at some point but not yet and/or not here. This movie wasn't trying too hard - the writing was truly from someone who knows he's a geek, is quick and can put everything in a cohesive manner, even for us outsiders.

Overall a success and I have given this four out of five frames. Nowadays everyone is stressed and needs a great laugh - here's your chance to get a great laugh in - so go see it!

Here's a trailer for your viewing pleasure:

Danae signing off!

source:traileraddict.com

I Failed You!

2010-08-10T00:00:00.002-04:00

Why the harsh title? Well, the plan was, this past weekend, to catch a somewhat newly released movie. The possibilities: Dinner for Schmucks, Despicable Me or The Other Guys). Did I complete this task? Nope! Although the couple of days were enjoyable due to lots.... and lots.. of eating, I didn't make it! Thus you don't have my (hopefully) desired opinion on any of the new releases BUT I can give you the few films I am certainly looking forward to. Take a peek at these!

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)
Directed by Michael Apted and set to be released on 12/10/10, the third installation of the C.S. Lewis books-turned-movies, looks to feed my childhood fantasy hunger. While the second movie, Price Caspian, didn't bring in the same level of revenue as the first, I doubt we will be disappointed with the pure spiritedness of this release and will hopefully bring back that feeling-like-you're-back-in-your-room-as-a-child-reading-late-at-night-under-the-covers-in-a-wonderful-other-worldly-place :)

Let Me In (2010)
Directed by Matt Reeves, this is the American remake of Let the Right One In, originally filmed as a Swedish flick. Set to be
released on 10/1/10, I am excited to see what will come of us 'mericans redoing the disturbing yet well-composed thriller/horror story. From the trailer, it seems to mostly stick with the original and if it's done right the first time - why change it (even with the story-telling of a different than usual pacing/nature)? Here's the trailer of the Swedish version (already out) and directly following is the American remake:

Red (2010)
Directed by Robert Schwentke and set to be released 10/15/10, surprise, surprise, another comic book turned movie. Hey, everyone wants to get in on this bandwagon eh? Looks amusing, we shall see......

Here's an odd situation. This is a trailer based off of a comic book that honestly, doesn't look too interesting. It seems very adult (which is fine) yet nothing intrigued me. Mentioning it only because I think I should, considering all that www.j1studios.com is about comic-wise but I'd really like to know if anyone has read this comic and/or is interested in seeing this:

The Goon (2010)

No release date yet but will be sometime this year:

Current goals so as not to let you down: See Scott Pilgrim vs. the World this weekend! It's being released this Friday, August 13, 2010. Let this gal not make any excuse, for the sake of us all.

Danae signing off!

source: www.traileraddict.com

Who wants funeral potatoes? Masterchef does!

2010-08-04T21:59:00.008-04:00

Masterchef
Channel: FOX
Date & Time: Tuesdays at 9pm
Rating: Had profanity. May want to keep the kids away from this one.

So this summer FOX has continued its love affair with foul mouthed, trash talking super chef Gordon Ramsay. Personally, I’m okay with their love for him. I share the same affections towards the man. This is now FOX’s third show featuring the man. First there was Hell’s Kitchen, where if you read this blog at all you know I am desperately in love with. Second there was Kitchen Nightmares, which I do love but not as much. Now they have Masterchef. I am still on the fence about this one since it is only two episodes in. All of these shows are American takes of the British versions over there on the BBC.

I think everyone knows about Hell’s Kitchen so I won’t go into what it’s all about here. Kitchen Nightmares is less known. It takes the same elements that Ramsay is known for (i.e. yelling obscenities, cooking, making profitable restaurants) so no one is thrown off. In this show it’s not about getting the best chef. It’s about taking a failing restaurant and making it a profitable, successful business. Of course along the way Gordon insults the owners, and the wait staff, and the chefs, and the décor, and the menu and just about anything he can think of. But he also tells them how to make it better. In the end he usually turns the business around and the people are a lot better off for asking him to come in and curse them out.

The new show is Masterchef. Not only is there Gordon Ramsay judging, but there are two other well accomplished chefs. The first is Graham Elliot who was the youngest four star chef in America. That is no easy feat. Many chefs don’t accomplish that in their lives. The other judge is Joe Bastianich. Joe has opened, I believe, 12 successful restaurants around the world and also owns a vineyard or two. These are some pretty impressive judges. If I was a contestant on this show I would be peeing my pants on a regular basis.

So what is the point of Masterchef you guys must be wondering. Well, to be honest, I’m still wondering that myself. I have watched the first two episodes and it has been basically a bunch of “home cooks” preparing a dish that speaks to who they are or some nonsense like that. The cooks that have potential are chosen to be on the show. The ones that they don’t like are insulted and pretty much told to not cook again. Which I think is fine by some of their families. Some of that food looked nasty. After this what happens? Well from what I gather they put the chosen ones through a series of challenges to see who the best is. They are turning a home cook into a professional. It’s not clear if they win any money. I know they don’t win a restaurant. I’m guessing notoriety is what they are looking for here. Justification for leaving whatever job they have now to be a cook. They haven’t been completely clear on what the prize is here. But since I enjoy watching people get screamed and cursed at I’m game to continue watching. It kind of makes me think of Hell’s Kitchen and Top Chef rolled into one. And since I love both shows this could potentially be enjoyable.

So far, and based just on the first two episodes, I'm giving this show 3 1/2 frames. It may deserve more frames later on. But like judges for figure skating, I'm not throwing out the 10s till I see all the skaters.

This is part of the first episode. I couldn't get a shorter clip. Watch the whole thing, it's good. But what I wanted to show you starts in around the 6 minute mark.

Well, until next time kids, this has been Hava!

Inception

2010-07-21T09:34:00.010-04:00

Inception (2010)
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Running Time: 148 minutes
Director: Chris Nolan

"From the director of Dark Knight.." is an effective attention-getter in hearing the preview for this gnarly, reality-altering movie starring (among others), Leonardo DiCaprio as Cobb, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Arthur, Ellen Page as Ariadne and Ken Watanabe as Saito. Is it even possible for us to be disappointed with a movie created the person who gave us what we needed in 2008 with Dark Knight? I say anything is possible and entered the theater hoping for the film to meet my expectations, but certainly not to exceed them.

We meet Cobb washed up on a beach with nothing to his name but a gun & a spinning top. Security guards bring him to an obviously powerful Japanese businessman who confronts him about this top and it is clear there is more to this simple item than appears. We then shift to a dream in which we meet Arthur & Saito and learn a bit about how deceiving these worlds are. What seems to be reality are truly graphic, lifelike dreams - and depending upon who the "dreamer" is, can determine how people, places and objects (these are called projections) act. In this dream state, you feel pain but "death" in this place, is you waking up. From outside the dream, a "kick" is what wakes you up. This is done by someone in reality, who is of course, awake, by utilizing the law of gravity. Simply push your "reality self" over and once you hit something, you wake up. The kick is a pivotal feature as there exists a slim possibility that you may get trapped in the dream world. Arthur & Cobb work together, in the world of a dream, and can manipulate the unknowing participant. This works best by the participant thinking that the dream is truly a reality and thus Cobb & Arthur can get them to reveal, or simply show them where, their darkest secrets may lie. The crux of this film comes from an unimaginable idea, one in which you don't work with the dreamer's ideas and projections but you implant an idea of your own, having them believe it is of their own creation. Simply put - you are completing a type of mind control. This is called inception. Cobb & Arthur are hired to complete this complicated task and construct a team whose goal is to achieve inception. Their subject: a wealthy businessman. Yet there is a reason it is said it can't be done; numerous intricacies add unpredictability and higher risks. Added to the level of difficulty is the projections dreamers can unintentionally plant within the dream; they can be useful... or harmful.

Cleverly sewn together, each scene is intriguing and thrilling. Chris Nolan wrote, produced and directed this - he is a genius! There are visual stimuli yet much more as your mind has a level of understanding since we all, at some point, have experienced dreams that seemed to be reality. Thinking you're clever you determine that its quite simple to decipher what is real and what isn't. Yet once in, it becomes less clear and more complex and once you think you have it together, you are thrown something else to decipher. I left thinking about a struggle Cobb clearly fought over. If the dream is yours; yours to manipulate, to shape, to grow, with people of whom you love - why leave? Does it really matter if one world is "reality" and the other is a dream? If in this dream, you achieve your life goals, fall in love, build an empire etc... does it honestly matter if you are in a state of slumber in current time?

P.S.: The previews show you the zero gravity struggle between an unknown man and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. This scene is fantastic - whew!

This gets a five out of five frames! Easily the best film of 2010 so far.

Check out the trailer - then tell me you're not going to see this!

Danae signing off!

source: youtube.com

Predators

2010-07-14T00:00:00.022-04:00

Predators (2010)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Running Time: Approximately 107 minutes
Rated: R
Director: Nimrod Antal

We meet Royce (Adrian Brody) abruptly, as he is awoken, mid air, dropping quickly through the atmosphere towards land as he struggles to pull his chute. Once on solid ground, he discovers he is not the only one who was revived by this method. He meets, among others, Nikolai (Oleg Taktarov), a Russian soldier, Cuchillo (Danny Trejo), a member of the Mexican drug cartel, Isabelle (Alice Braga), an Israeli black ops sniper and Edwin (Topher Grace), a surgeon who seemingly doesn't fit in with the crowd of killers. Amongst the scuffle, they determine that they are not there to hunt each other, but to defend themselves from being hunted.

They determine that they were placed, though not known by who, on a planet being used as a game reserve. And they are the game. They conclude that they were chosen because of who they were - predators themselves. What better opponent, or challenge, then other creatures that hunt for a living? Wikipedia notes (either I missed this or they guessed) that the Predators themselves brought them there so they could hone their skills - this would make the most sense as the only other entity that would drop them there would be fellow human beings and although certainly capable, harder on the conscious.

The director, Nimrod Antal, stuck with the action movie basics: characters with drive and personality, a formidable enemy, a reason to fight and of course - lots of explosions, violence, blood and death. There were parallels with the original film. Each Predator can sense body heat, making it difficult to hide and, as Arnold S. did in the first film, we see some mud-covering to prevent discovery. In the 1987 movie, a highly spiritual Navajo warrior, Billy, stays behind as an honorable fighter, to face the creature in hand to hand combat and allowing more time for others to get away - there is a similar scene in this sequel.

The neat new surprises was that of a type of hunting hound yet seeing as it was the Predator's pet - they were much bigger and much tougher! In addition, we learn the classes between Predators and how they hunt.

Thank goodness there was no ridiculous and miraculous dodging-bullets-in-a-clearing or even needless love-making. Why there always seems to be a romance/kissing scene amidst a pressing need to escape is besides me. Somehow, despite being surrounded by enemies, many films portray the protagonist, while having only minutes to escape, finding time to look longingly into the eyes of the one whom, although they've butted heads previously, they are destined to be with. They then must lean in for a kiss that absolutely could not wait until after death wasn't knocking at the door (not a peeve of mine, no not at ALL!).

Note: Although Adrian Brody may be a surprise as the lead for this genre of film, he fits the mold for Royce the mercenary. He does a great job as an action hero (cue the strong and decisive action hero phrases where needed :))

My prediction allowed for a moderate "wow factor", respectable action scenes, a semi-believable story and lots and lots of violence. Expectations exceeded? No. Disappointed? Not at all. Job well done, Arnold would be proud.

This receives a solid three out of five frames.

Here is the trailer!!

Will you go to see this or wait for something else to come? Let me know via email or the forum at: www.j1studios.com.

Danae signing off!

So you think you can do what now?

2010-07-07T23:43:00.004-04:00

So You Think You Can Dance
Channel: FOX
Date & Time: Wed. at 8pm, Thurs. at 9pm
Rating: Everybody

So I would like to complain about the latest season of So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD). It pains me to do this since I love this show so much. My biggest issue this season doesn’t necessarily lie with the people chosen to be on the show (oh I have issues with that but that will be discussed later) or with the fact that Mary Murphy is no longer a constant presence (I actually kind of love that). My biggest problem has to do with the structure of the competition. Too many things have changed.

Let me take you back, if you will, to past seasons. In the past 6 seasons, after the auditions, the judges will choose 20 dancers to make the show, 10 boys and 10 girls. Each boy would be matched up with a girl and they would dance as partners for a certain amount of weeks and then they would switch up partners to make things more interesting. Each week one boy and one girl would be voted off. Seems like an easy enough formula. One that has been working for six seasons. One that has proved to yield favorable results. Well this season they threw a big part of that formula out the window. Instead of 20 dancers, they only chose 11. Yeah 11 folks. Seems they couldn’t quite make the tough decision to cut one more person. So we are left with six guys and five girls. Now I’m sure you all are wondering how they can pair up this uneven number. Well there is the other part of the change. Now the dancers aren’t paired up with other contestants. They are now dancing with “all-stars” (past contestants of the show). What in the world is this about? I don’t understand. I don’t like it either. I think I know where they are going with this whole thing. I guess next to these great and wonderful all-stars we can really judge how well the contestant danced. A good dancer can’t be dragged down along with a bad dancer if their partner doesn’t get it. But this messes with the whole fabric of the show. The threads that hold the show together. Just this past episode they had the dancers dance once with the all-stars and then again with another contestant. So they are kind of leading it back to the original premise.

What is with the smaller amount of contestants this season? Is it because FOX only allotted SYTYCD a certain number of weeks and they decided they couldn’t fit all of it in considering the time constraints? If there are going to be fewer contestants why can’t they be paired up with each other from the beginning? Why the all-stars? There wasn’t really any kind of an explanation as to why this is happening. I love seeing those past contestants. They dance beautifully and bring a level of professionalism to the performance. But why are they there?!?! Why can’t these contestants have the same experience as the all-stars? There are just too many questions and very few answers.

The contestants this season I don’t completely agree with. They aren’t bad dancers or overwhelmingly annoying. They just aren’t people I think should be there instead of others. Now if they had 20 dancers this season these 11 probably wouldn’t bother me as much because some of the other dancers that I think were better would be there too. I must say that these dancers have held their own so far alongside the all-stars.

The one thing I do love about the changes though is that I don’t have to hear that annoying Mary Murphy scream and act like an ass all the time. Matter of fact, I have hardly seen her this season. I don’t know if they explained why she hasn’t been there every episode. I don’t need an explanation though. I need the address of Nigel so I can send him a fruit basket or something as a thank you. Mary always got on my nerves. It was so bad that I would mute the television every time she would speak just so I wouldn’t have to hear her voice and her screaming and the stupid stuff that she would say to the dancers. Now I’m not wishing harm on her or bad times. I’m sure she’s a perfectly lovely woman off the show. But on the show, man, I wanted to make it so she no longer had a voice box so we wouldn’t have to hear her anymore. I wanted a permanent mute option.

Well, hopefully with the new change of them dancing one dance with fellow contestants will come more dances in that vein. I want less all-stars and more season 7 contestants. I want more dancing and less Mary Murphy. Let’s see where the rest of the season takes us. At this last show they were doing the top 8 so we have many more shows to go.

I'm giving this season 3 1/2 stars so far. They have changed too much. But they can still redeem themselves.

Sorry I don't have an updated video from this last episode, but since it just aired last night no clips were available. This is the recap from last week's episode. Enjoy!
Top 9 - FOX Broadcasting Company - So You Think You Can Dance - Videos

Well, until next time kids, this has been Hava!

Toy Story is back!!

2010-06-29T08:43:00.018-04:00

Toy Story 3 (2010)
Rated G
Running Time: 103 Minutes
Genre: Adventure, Family, Animation

Short & Sweet is how this review, excuse me, rave, of this friendship-testing, tear-jerking, terrifying (yes!) third installation of a cult family hit is going to be. You'd had to have hidden under a rock NOT to have seen at least one of the Toy Story Sagas as many comrades of mine swear their most prized possessions by this adventurous bunch. Woody & Buzz Lightyear have been the crux of what we know to be fun, funny and touching. You don't need to ask but what is it about these characters, what is it about the story, that keeps bringing us back and keep us talking? We ALL have something from our childhood that is precious and that marks a pivotal period in our lives. Whether is a stuffed bunny (that's me!), a G.I. Joe or a barbie - there is a inanimate object that brings back the summers of freedom, companionship while hiding from crazy family members or friends, a token of the hours and hours spent in another world where you can be whoever you want. Toy Story 3 doesn't fail to touch on a truth that then eventually hits all of us; we have to grow up! This though, doesn't take away from the memories created in your adolescence. In addition, we are just one cycle - there are new generations to behold the wonder of a world with no boundaries (all in your bedroom or backyard).

The story continues off as their beloved owner Andy is getting ready to head off to college and has to clean out! His toys end up at a rough and tumble daycare and thoughts of new, loving hands are quashed. They must work together, despite a surprising toy brigade hoping to keep them from escaping. We meet some new (and some scary) characters such as Big Baby, Ken & a strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o'-Huggin'.

There is nothing that could've been added to make this any more fulfilling and well rounded. I give this a five out of five frames!!

Here's the trailer for your eyes only ;)

Despite the obvious label of being a kid's film, you'd be missing out on some reminiscent excitment if you don't go and see this! Once you've given in to my pursuasive ways, shoot me an email or go to the forum to admit that you did indeed tear up!

Danae signing off!

source: traileraddict.com

How much more upfront do you want me to be?

2010-06-10T02:54:00.006-04:00

So last time I gave you a taste of some of the shows coming up that I feel could be promising. That people should give a chance. Well these next shows are ones that you should run and hide from. These are just a few of the shows that when I saw the descriptions for them I raised my eyebrow. Take a gander at these. Form your own opinion but I’m sure you will find that I am correct as usual.

“Outsourced”- NBC Thursdays 9:30pm
The general premise of this show is a white man goes to work for his company’s call center which is located in India. Basically this looks like it’s trying to be kind of like “the Office” but in India. I think they are trying to bank on the supposedly hilarity of the difference in cultures and languages. But from what I have seen it just seems like they are making stereotypical jokes and they are almost slightly insulting. They have jokes about how the Indian people’s names sound funny and being hard to pronounce. I’m sure they feel the same way about our names. There are jokes concerning their culture, the ones being most obvious at the moment dealing with how women are viewed and should act. In the one clip it shows the American guy trying to push his culture on to them. Now I love an inappropriate racial joke just as much as the next person, but a whole show based off of stereotypes and common misconceptions is just too much for me. As it stands now, I’m uninterested in this show.

“Nikita”- CW Thursdays 9pm
Oh for the love of everything holey they are bringing back the whole “Le Femme Nikita” franchise…again. This started as a French film which was adapted into a horrible American remake which was then adapted into a cable television series in the 90’s. Now it is another television series on the CW of all networks. The premise and plot of this franchise has changed over adaptations. If you want Nikita as someone who was plucked out of prison by some government agency and forced to be an assassin. She has now escaped their grasp is being hunted down. While I have no problem with the plot per se, I’m just over remaking this whole franchise. This will never be as good as the first television series. From the promos I have seen this show is poorly acted. I don’t see how even a guy would want to sit here and watch this even though it has the staples of all male driven programming (i.e. action, fighting, & scantily clad women). If they are marketing this at all for females the best part for them is Shane West. But even he cannot sustain me enough to watch a show. I’m passing on this.

“No Ordinary Family”- ABC Tuesdays 8pm
So what if I told you there was a new show about a family who was going on vacation and they survive a plane crash on the way and then they find out that they have these super powers. Wouldn’t you think the next logical sentence would be, and hilarity ensues? Well you’d be wrong. This show is actually a drama. Yes, a drama. You see, the whole point for this family vacation is so that the family can reconnect since they have grown apart. Once they all figure out that they have these powers the show then tries to follow them and show how they deal with this extraordinary change. While there may be a few funny quips and all that the main point is how they deal with these powers and grow as people and blah blah blah. When I posed the question that I started this with to my mother she first guessed a kid’s show. Then she guessed a comedy. When I told her it was a drama she was baffled. She could not for life of her figure why they would make this premise serious. I, too, cannot understand it. It seems to be well acted. Hell, they have Michael Chiklis and Julie Benz. Amazing actors! I don’t know about this. It just seems like they are trying to mix “Heroes” and any family based drama on television. It’s like the movie “RV” without the comedy, the road trip, and they have super powers. Okay so maybe it isn’t like “RV” but it still seems like they are reaching for something unnecessary. Make it a comedy and call it a day.

So head on over to the forum on j1studios.com and discuss these trailers. Let me know if you think I'm wrong. If you think these shows are the best thing around.

Until next time kids, this has been Hava.

Prince of Persia

2010-06-03T00:00:00.000-04:00

Prince of Persia (2010)
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: Approximately 116 minutes
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Director: Mike Newell

Based on the popular video game series, the movie, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time was highly anticipated. There has certainly been an audience for the video game-turned-feature film genre, (Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li; Max Payne; Resident Evil; Silent Hill) yet with one too many having concluded in disappointment. I have not played any of the games, although appealing, so I had my handy sidekick relate what was consistent within the film and the game. The look of Dastan (Jake Gyllenhal) seems to mesh with the game character yet some people have a bone to pick with the choice of actor (see below). Naturally he had the ability to turn back time which didn't deviate from the game but we shouldn't expect any different. The gist of the story is this: As a child, in a shocking maneuver, Dastan gets adopted by King Sharaman of Persia and grows up as royalty. He is a unique warrior with a penchant for rushing into everything head first. Amidst the celebration of a hasty overthrow of the Holy City of Alamut, he gets framed for his father's death and has both brothers searching for him to make sure he is brought to justice. Having fled with the princess of Alamut, Tamina, he embarks on a journey to reveal the true source of his father's death and to stop the abuse of a powerful weapon, controlling time itself and threatening the past, present and future.

The basics are satisfactory - Dastan is the rogue brother who is more Achilles then Hector. He exchanges words (and dodges attempts at his life) with the princess yet we know that their stubbornness is temporary as we anticipate their destiny with one another. Dastan's tricks and sidesteps, his jumps from rooftop to rooftop, seemingly second nature as he flies over people, as if they simply weren't there, are quite amazing. You can't look away as he pulls a Mario move - hopping/climbing up walls, and then ducking punches, deflecting swords. The sequences are thrilling yet in the day and age of an action movie released 2 to 3 times a month, every sequence is expected to be crazier and more daring - with all this, it's possible that I am marred and numbed - it takes much more to impress me. I was impressed by all that transpired yet I felt the film as a whole compared more to say, The Mummy, more so than say Ironman. The Mummy was a great film with amazing effects yet destined to be a TBS or ABCFamily film premier, to run every holiday yet less dvd-worthy and more watching it on the tube-worthy. Ironman is the film you get on Blu-Ray ;)

In addition, with this having taken place in Persia, with a story about a Persian empire, I can fathom how certain groups are disappointed and confused about the choice of actor for the main character. While Jake Gyllenhaal did a commendable job, (and those in charge of wardrobe), he is clearly NOT Persian. He is a fairly well known actor and this is an influential decision when trying to bring in an audience, for a film that could push someone of Persian-descent (or even bearing more of a resemblance) would've been honorable and speak louder as an encouragement and a break from the norm with regards to our very white-centered film industry.

All in all, this gets a 3 out of 5 frames.

A la trailer:

Tell me if you want to go see this or couldn't care less if it washed away with the sands of time *giggle giggle*. Get on the J1studios.com forum, blog page or shoot me an email!

Danae signing off!

source: traileraddict.com

Must you be so upfront with me?

2010-05-27T00:07:00.005-04:00

Yes I must. What is an upfront you ask? Well they are previews of what networks will be giving us in the season to come. They combed through thousands of shows and these are the ones they thought were worth our time. So I sat through a good number of what all of the major networks has to offer. There was some good and there was some bad. This installment I'm giving you some of the good. The next go round are the ones that weren't so lucky.

Hawaii Five-O(CBS) Mondays 10pm
Does anyone remember the original Hawaii Five-O? Cause I don’t. It was before my time. If you know nothing about this show it is about this elite team of cops that answers only to the Governor. They are like all of the Law & Order franchises rolled into one. They get to work on all the sensational crimes. Well CBS has decided they want to bring it back! I know you may not think this is all big and important. It’s just another cop show. This show though has nostalgia appeal and it has some very strong actors in there to help carry the show. You have Scott Caan, Alex O’Loughlin, and Daniel Dae Kim. From what I have seen it looks like it will be Hawaii Five-O on speed. There is more action and you get to know the characters a little bit more. All I have to say about this reboot is, “Book ‘em Dano!” That means you should give it a looksey when it starts up this fall.

Lonestar(FOX) Mondays 9pm
Remember the show, or more aptly described as an evening soap, Dallas? Did you ever want to see Jon Voight in Dallas? Well now you kind of can. This show is set in Texas and about a con man who is leading two lives. One is boyfriend to a sweet, down home girl. The second is married to a big oil man’s daughter. Con man and his partner are trying to steal money from the rich family. This con man’s heart grows three sizes at some point though and he wants out. It’s not fully explained but he starts stealing money from the rich family to pay off old scams. That, I’m sure, will be fleshed out in the actual show. I can’t really get into any more of it except that con man starts to really love one of the women and that may be the catalyst for his change of heart. I can’t get into more because not all of it is explained. I’m anticipating many soap opera like twists and turns in this show. And I have been begging for an evening soap for some time now. So you know I will be watching and hoping that I’m not disappointed.

The Event(NBC) Mondays 9pm
What is the event you ask? That is the question of the hour. Rather, the question of the season, or series. Who knows? From what I gather this show has a whole “what is going on?” vibe to it. There are apparently prisoners that a section of the CIA has been hiding for years and years now and presidents have had no clue they existed. Well the new president, in what I think is a nod to President Obama, played by sexy Blair Underwood somehow finds out about this prison and demands to be in on it. On the other end of this show we have Jason Ritter looking for his new fiancée who suspiciously disappears. I guess it is somehow connected to these prisoners. The gist of the show is that there is some hush-hush, sneaky, off the grid stuff happening run by the government and it is all in an attempt to stop this “event” from happening. I’m intrigued. I will be giving this new show a look.

Looks like my Mondays will be pretty busy. Now I'm reserving my picture frames for the fall season. I want to see the whole thing and not just the trailer. I wouldn't want to prejudge a show based off of three minutes of spliced together scenes. Oh wait, that's what I do all the time. That was the whole basis of this post. Anywho, stay tuned for some of the shows I thought should have been prejudged and never chosen for the light of day.

Until next time kids, this has been Hava.

Ironman 2!!!!!

2010-05-17T09:09:00.015-04:00

Ironman 2 (2010)
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Running Time: 124 minutes
Director: Jon Favreau

With the first Ironman movie's success (aka power) comes great responsibility (your welcome Peter Parkers all over the world). It is, as it should be, the second installation's responsibility to a) not suck and b) if possible, be as good as, if not better than, the first. The latter is not an easy feat yet is what we hope for; even a smidget of a Dark Knight-esque achievement - the continuation of a good story with the heart of what we enjoyed in the first film. Did Ironman 2 live up to its oh-so-high expectations? The knowledge that we will be seeing War Machine and Black Widow brings much excitement and we all wanted to confirm that this was going to be the movie of 2010. The things we loved in Ironman did roll over into the second; Tony Stark's (Robert Downey Jr.) cleverly narcissistic quips and maneuvers, Pepper's (Gwyneth Paltrow) firmness all the while still remaining compromising in her relationship with Tony Stark, the beauty in all of Ironman's advanced technology and James Rhodes' (now played by Don Cheadle) firm beliefs and bravery are just plain ol' cool. We have too the addition of Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) (even I will admit she's hot in this), Whiplash (Mickey Rourke) and Hammer, the weapon's company whose goal is to take Ironman's technology and use it for military use (what's new).

Jon Favreau (who starred in the first and second Ironman as Happy Hogan) did a great job directing the movie;. I don't need to tell you back story or even this film's basis, as most of you have seen the first one yet even if not, the basics are straight forward and very easy to google ;). In reality, your not really going to see this on the basis of this being a life-changing epic. Ironman is a Marvel superhero and we to be wow'ed, pumped up, thrilled, laugh, see lots and lots of action and for those who have read the comic book, want to see the pages come to life. The action was great - when you FINALLY get to see War Machine and Ironman fight together, you are amped and yearn for complete destruction. Yet their combined combat is too short-lived; it was quality but not quantity - I wanted to see more! This is an action movie and although I do indeed think that the story is quite important, there had to be a way to have at least 20 more minutes of action. Another bothersome note: a few parts were a bit slow: some interactions between Tony Stark and Pepper, while true to the story, didn't seem necessary or even the need to be longer than a minute or two. Some of the scene transitions were a bit rough around the edges. Yet there were some quite satisfying features: Mickey Rourke as Whiplash was convincing and I personally think he is an amazing actor. (Unfortunately the way the story was written though left me a bit dissatisfied as I believe we should've seen more of him and his past). Overall I have more positive thoughts coming from this film than not and the positives far outweigh the negatives. Tony Stark is a character I would LOVE to see again soon and done up in the same sort of manner: strong, powerful, crazy and ready to take on anyone!

All in all, this is worth getting off your couch and paying, yes I said paying, to see it. Not quite the same impact as the first but a definitive yes for your dvd/Blu-Ray collection.

I give this a 3.5 out of 5 frames!

See the trailer here:

Tell me if you agree with my conclusion or not via the J1studios.com forum, blog page or email.

Danae signing off!

source: youtube.com

It's time for the straight jacket!

2010-05-06T00:56:00.007-04:00

"The Hills"
Tuesdays at 10 pm
MTV

Who loves a good train wreck? I do! I do! Thank goodness or I wouldn’t be able to sit through the final season of “The Hills.” Can you believe it? They are closing it out after only five seasons. I guess all good things must come to an end. Oh how they are ending though. As time has passed in “The Hills” we have seen friendships made and ripped apart in a matter of episodes, passing from one relationship to the next, pointless bickering, and the creation of (cue scary music: Dun dun duh) Speidi. That is possibly the single most irritating creation that will eventually bring down civilization as we know it.

So as this final season starts we are brought right back into it with the snarky bickering we love so much. It seems though that all of the usual pointless banter and silent prolonged gazes are a little less poignant this season. I feel that everything that will happen this season is going to be overshadowed by the horrible crushing transformations of Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (Speidi). Before the season started it was revealed that Heidi had undergone 10 elective plastic surgeries at once. When all was said and done she came out looking like a different person. Only a trace of the original Heidi is left in her cold blank eyes. But I’ll get more into that later. Spencer also goes through; I guess you can only call it, a spiritual transformation. Or, as spiritual as Spencer will ever get.

I hope you all don’t mind that I’m not really going to address all of the rumors about Kristin’s supposed drug use and Stephanie and Lo being behind it. I won’t even get into the ridiculous relationship that is Audrina and Ryan Cabrera (P.S. sweetie, Ryan, what have you done to yourself? You use to be attractive). The biggest thing of all, and it can no longer be disregarded as them playing to the media for attention, is the soul crushing relationship between Heidi and Spencer. While it’s no secret that Spencer is controlling and wants to have Heidi all to himself, he seems to now be to trying to seclude the both of them from family and friends. He is so stuck in his own little world and he doesn’t care who he hurts along the way.

Spencer, this season, has morphed into a “spiritual,” crystal loving, guru shaman sort of guy. His oddly bushy flesh toned beard is no longer the creepiest thing about him. He constantly walks around with either hippie inspired shirts or grandpa-esque cardigans and covered practically from head to toe in different crystals. He claimed that he is “vibrationally tuned in” now because of them. I think the only things they are tuning him into are the permanent crazy eyes he’s been sporting and the unnecessary, hurtful flip outs. While if you have ever seen even just one episode of “The Hills” you can guess that Spencer doesn’t care for his sister Stephanie and doesn’t like Heidi’s whole family. Probably because they don’t like him and at any turn have tried to get Heidi away from him. Spencer use to be able to be in the same room with these people before. True, he would probably start a fight or storm off in a huff, but one thing was always certain. He would stick around long enough to give that smug little smirk of his and say something completely ridiculous that would make everyone groan. He has now evolved into some super monster that doesn’t have a soul or a heart or any other human feelings or emotions. The season is only two episodes in and Spencer has already reduced Stephanie to tears in a matter of seconds. And if the previews for the rest of this season are spot on, then it seems like everyone is going to be genuinely frightened by him.

When it comes to Heidi, I can’t help but feel bad for her now. It’s so obvious that this girl is suffering from such self-esteem issues that she thinks she has to change her entire appearance so she can look like Barbie. Yes that is who she wants to look like. That was confirmed in the first episode when she goes home to Colorado to show her family her new face. The show made a huge deal about the big reveal of her changed appearance. MTV created this aura of mystery around it even though it was unnecessary since we all have seen her new self on the cover of People magazine about a month ago. The whole part of the first episode where Heidi is home and having to deal with her family’s feelings about her change is heart breaking. It was really tough watching her mother come down on her for having become a whole new person that she doesn’t even recognize anymore. Her mother called her out on her changed outlook on life since moving to Los Angeles and ventured to wonder what Heidi would have been like if she hadn’t moved. While I don’t necessarily agree with how harsh her mother was, she made sense. Heidi, you are a completely different person than you were in the first season. That girl wouldn’t have cared and would have walked around the world with her same old face that God gave her. Somewhere down the road in these past almost 5 years she has gone off the deep end herself. She has lost control in her marriage to Spencer and has a huge disconnect with her family because of it. It makes sense that she would turn to something that she can control. Some girls will go to anorexia or bulimia or even cutting, to have something to control in their lives. Heidi took her minor dislikes for things about her body, that all of us have, and tried to fix them with plastic surgery. Unfortunately for Heidi, she doesn’t know that doing things to supplement the pain is only exacerbating the problem. The fixes and changes and a new “3.0” (as she put it) self will never make her feel 100% better. It will just move her on to the next thing she feels she can’t control and send her spiraling into another black hole.

Personally this relationship is kind of scary. I don’t know where this whole thing is going with Spencer. We are led to believe that everyone else on the show is frightened by his actions and are concerned for themselves and Heidi. The show makes it seem like the two may get a divorce. This doesn’t seem likely since they are currently still together. I think this may be the smartest thing Heidi could do and it may help her get back part of herself. Unfortunately for her, she can’t go back and reverse what she has had done to her body. But she can go and learn to be more comfortable in the skin she now has and become a better person.

I'm giving the first two episodes of the final season 3 1/2 frames. It hasn't reached it's crazy potential just quite yet.

Check out the extended trailer for the final season

So head on over the forum and discuss the beauty that is "The Hills." Do you hate it? Do you love it? Do you loathe that you love it? Tell me all about it.

Until next time kids, this has been Hava.

2010-04-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

Rated: PG
Directors: Dean DeBlois & Chris Sanders
Genre: Animation, Adventure
Running Time: 98 minutes

Hiccup, born into a family, or rather a community, of Vikings, is the oddball. He desires to join in the mayhem of the continuous collective battle against the island's predators, Dragons, yet he doesn't quite fit the bill. Lanky and clumsy yet stubborn as the life he was born into, he uses what he has to impress his family and capture a dragon, his brain. He invents and builds contraptions in hopes of increasing the likelihood of catching one to prove himself. To everyone. He succeeds, yet not according to plan, as all that he imagined shatters upon his first encounter. Simply named Toothless, this feared and renowned Dragon teaches him about a world he thought he knew.

The usual lessons learned are there: going against the grain to do what's right, bumping heads with family yet discovering what truly matters, finding friends by breaking through presumptions etc.. They are expected and are truly good lessons to exhibit - not new but appreciated. In addition, the film is not as goofy as many Dreamworks productions before it, (Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar), with an amusing but somewhat sedate air to enough of the film. Hiccup's awkwardness with, well everything, is endearing.

Visually, it's quite a viewing pleasure. Please, please see in 3D!! Simply admiring the texture in each Viking's leather vest or even furry beard; clear and real enough to flashback to the feeling of your fathers scratchy beard as he hugged you good night as a child. Amazing.

Loved the ending as it was not the picture perfect conclusion that is so commonplace with movies. Hiccup & Toothless' friendship is so much so codependent that it provides a true definition of what it means to rely on a friend.

I give this a four out of five frames!

Cue the trailer:

Danae signing off!

2010-04-21T22:50:00.006-04:00

"Parenthood"
Tuesdays, 10pm (check local listings)
NBC

Have you ever had a fight with your brother or sister? Or how about your parents? Or your children? If you haven’t that means that you have no family at all in any capacity and you are a recluse that never has any actual human interaction. That’s okay. I don’t judge. But if you do have any kind of family, and that includes your close friends that you call family, then you can relate to the new NBC show “Parenthood.” It takes you into the lives of the Braverman family. The character single mom Sarah moves with her two children back to live with her parents when she falls on hard times. Upon moving home she is thrust back into the lives of her siblings and their families.

In this family you have father and mother, Zeek & Camille respectively, who are dealing with private issues that they are keeping from the kids. There is Sarah’s sister, Julia, who seemingly has it all together with her career as a lawyer and her stay at home husband, Joel, and their young daughter. Next you have younger brother Crosby who learns from a past girlfriend that they have a five year old son she never told him about. He now has to deal with being a father. Last you have the oldest child Adam. Adam has his wife, Kristina, teenage daughter, Haddie, and young son, Max, who they just learned has Asperger’s syndrome.

Each part of the family has its trials and tribulations but the way they come together to help each other is pretty inspiring. What some other shows about a family get wrong is that they either give you too many unbelievable situations or they try too hard to be “real.” “Parenthood” is one of those rare shows that falls in the middle and is actually “real.” I didn’t think I was going to like this show. When watching the previews I thought it was going to be one of those shows that make me want to roll my eyes for an extended period of time and that all of the funny moments they touted were going to be limited to the ones you saw in the commercials.

I was pleasantly surprised when I left it on one night because there was nothing else worth watching and found that it wasn’t completely awful. It was actually pretty good. The actors on the show were perfectly cast. Each one, right down to the young boy who plays Crosby’s five year old son, plays their characters perfectly. While sometimes you may wonder if these things really happen to families and if they do they can’t all happen to siblings around the same time. Well, of course that is the unrealistic point of all television shows. They only have but so much time to sell you on the show and keep you watching so they throw a lot at you at once. I can look past that when the show is well written and superbly acted; which this one is.

I really enjoy watching this family cope with teens having sex, Asperger’s syndrome, single parenthood, cheating spouses, busy lives, faking orgasms, becoming a parent, starting over, and just about anything else you can think of. I would recommend “Parenthood” to just about anybody. I have found that if my mother has approved a show I’m watching, and actually likes it herself, then it must be good for everyone.

I give this show four and a half frames. I'm leaving the half for the potential this show has to grow.

Here is a two minute replay from the most recent episode titled "Rubber Band Ball."

Head over to the forum at www.j1studios.com to discuss how you feel about this show or any other shows that are centered around family dynamics.

Until next time kids, this has been Hava.

Tasty Drama

2010-04-15T00:39:00.020-04:00

I have now invested approximately 21.5 hours to my dear Dexter. Only two seasons left to catch up on and solidified is my respect for the all that is and behind Dexter!

We are first introduced in season one, to Dexter Morgan, a forensics blood spatter analyst, living his life as a serial killer... A serial killer who kills other serial killers. He lives his life under the facade of normalcy via rules he was taught by his father (e.g., do things to make others believe you are normal and (number one rule), don't get caught). His sister, Deb, has always felt that Dexter was favored by their father, also a cop, as Dexter and him spent so much time together. In fact, the bulk of their father/son time was Dexter being instructed how to control his urges and how to use them for "good". Deb is a new detective hoping for more recognition but hindered by a power hungry Lieutenant Maria LaGuerda who seems to have it out for her. Sergeant James Doakes is the only one suspicious of Dexter - he seems to have a keen eye for those trying to hide something. Detective Angel Batista is a nice guy who appears to have it all yet his personal life is not all that it seems. Dexter's training to make him appear an average human being involves maintaining a relationship with his formerly abused girlfriend Rita. The first season was pregnant with Dexter's philosophy and how he managed to stay undiscovered. You gained respect for his ability and either adored or despised the other players in his world. The recently viewed second season had Dexter questioning all that he lived his life by, and was chalk full of close calls and awkward exchanges. Loved EVERY SECOND!!!

Not needing to summarize all that went on in the first couple seasons (if you haven't seen it - do it), what needs to be known is the great story writing and the depth of each actor's characterization. To elicit all the nuances as each is written is quite a task. It is in season two that you truly get to see into the conflict (yet in also the resolutions) within Dexter. Case in point, there was a scene in which Dexter had to feign a duo of emotions: shock and bitter pain as he had to get a morgue technician away from his deceased biological father so that he could examine the body - truly genius! The look, the response, the body position each having to reflect this emotion, not just that but the idea of the emotion, the struggle - yet all not truly having been experienced by him - ingeniuos!

Here's a preview of what consisted of Season Two:

I give this series, so far, a five out of five frames.

Hit me up if you've seen this series or have one to recommend.

Danae signing off!

You Are The Biggest Loser, Or Just A Loser

2010-04-07T22:12:00.008-04:00

Yeah I’m talking to you Melissa. That’s why you were voted off last night. In case you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’m referring to the latest person to be voted off of “The Biggest Loser” on NBC. If you haven’t been watching, Melissa was voted off several weeks ago and won the right to come back to the ranch by losing the most weight while at home. What made this such a tragedy was that NO ONE liked her. The only person who wanted her around was her husband and he eventually got voted off too.

Melissa has been a topic of controversy on this season of “The Biggest Loser.” The two trainers, Bob and Jillian, suspected that she was throwing the weigh-ins for a couple weeks. Her and her husband would win immunity in a challenge so they couldn’t be voted off at the end of the show. So what did she do, she only lost a couple pounds one week and actually GAINED a pound the next week. By doing that she was able to lose a huge number the next week when she didn’t have immunity, thus making it impossible to be voted off. Okay, I know this is a game and in the end the players aren’t only there to lose weight. They are also there to win a lot of money. To ensure that you stay around you have to play the game a little bit. We all get that. But throwing two weigh-ins in a row? That’s just stupid. People will catch on to you. And they did and that’s why the first chance they got the rest of the players voted her behind off.

When she won the chance to come back on the ranch she was a bigger annoyance, and that’s putting it nicely, than the first time around. The beginning of the season she didn’t only play the game to the extreme, she was rude and ignorant to most of the other players there. That didn’t change. She just amped it up a little more. Why someone would do this is beyond me. Isn’t it obvious that these people don’t like you and want you gone? Can’t you see that when given the opportunity they will get rid of you? The rest of the players did everything they could this past episode to make sure she wasn’t staying. The stepped it up and forced her to lose the challenge which gave her a 1 pound disadvantage at the weigh-in. That’s a big deal on this show. So when she didn’t lose enough weight she went to the ultimate extreme to get to stay. Now I ask, what kind of person says that if you keep them they can guarantee to be in the bottom two every week and help everyone else pick people off one by one?

Let’s examine her proposition shall we? What is she really offering here? Is she saying that she will throw the weigh-in every week so that she is in the bottom two which allows everyone else the ability to get rid of the other person? Does she think that she can’t lose enough weight every week to stay above the yellow line and not be up for elimination so she’s giving them an option? Are the rest of the players really supposed to believe that she won’t screw them and lose a ton of weight every week (because she is capable of it) and pick off the rest of them? Does she really think they are that stupid? Well clearly they aren’t since they got rid of her for a second time. Then she had the audacity to admonish them for not realizing what a wonderful opportunity they are throwing away. This woman has balls people.

I will spare you the catty, nay, witty banter that transpired between me and my mother about how they kept mentioning in the update on the voted off player how Melissa and her husband have been working on their marriage and making it better. Now if you have ever watched this show you can kind of guess as to why their marriage may be on the skids. But we’ll leave that up to speculation. There are some really great players left in the game for the big prize. I would be happy with any of them winning. I hope that all of them continue to lose ridiculous amounts of weight and look amazing and feel amazing in the end. The one thing I don’t want to see is Melissa coming back at the finale and winning the smaller monetary prize for losing the most weight at home. I don’t think I have ever disliked a player on this game more than I do her. If I never have to hear her horrible, grating voice or see that dung eating grin again I will be a happier person for it. Don’t seem shocked at my disdain either readers. I prefaced all of my blogs with a warning that I get invested in all that I watch.

For your viewing pleasure, please watch Melissa have her backside handed to her.

I give this episode 5 frames based solely on the fact that Melissa is gone!

Please head on over to the forum to support my loathing for Melissa. Or feel free to tell me why it is unjustified. Just go to the forum and chat it up.

Until next time kids, this has been Hava.

In Theaters Now....

2010-04-01T00:00:00.001-04:00

I grudgingly admit that it has been quite some time since I've entered a real life, popcorn smelling, ludicrously priced movie theater. I've pushed my brain to its limits attempting to recall the last time I entered a cinema house. I believe it was to see The Princess and the Frog? (November of 2009!)

The first step to recovery is admission. Step two is to find out what is out there to determine if at this point, recovery is possible. The impossible is if all choices available = crap. This non-commercial watching gal then had to conduct a search of that which is currently in theaters and has come up with, although only a few, selections. The viewing experiences to come are the next steps to becoming a true POW powerhouse ;). The road consists of a continuous stream of entertainment to filter out that which is brainless, hopeless and a waste of time.

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
Rated: PG; Running Time: 98 minutes; Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family

Fun filled story about a young Viking who dares to go against the norm and befriends a dragon. I truly look forward to seeing this and having lots of laughs. Those who brush off these types of films as childish are not only being close-minded but are beyond a doubt, missing out! Also available in 3D.

Shutter Island (2010)
Rated: R; Running Time: 138 minutes; Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime

Yes, yes, this has been out for quite some time yet we all know that my LIFE is late so don't be surprised that I am only mentioning this now. Mixed reviews have been heard but no doubt this is interesting and I am intrigued; I would also love some opinions from those who have seen this as to if they have or have not enjoyed this movie. This has to currently be my top pick for what I want to see.

Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Rated: PG; Running Time: 109 minutes; Genre: Adventure, Fantasy

LeVonn78 will be surprised to hear this as I've refused to accompany him due to my childhood discomfort of anything associated with this story. Yet after his and quite a few (respectable) opinions, I am giving in and would like to see if instead of wanting to dash out of my seat, I will take pleasure in this viewing experience. The book always creeped me out and I saw nothing amusing, nor even fun about the story. Tim Burton and Johnny Depp's mutual love for all things odd has appealed to me before; I'm now willing to give it a shot.

I slightly aspire to see Youth in Revolt (Netflix!) - any opinions?

Note to the readers: for my protection and all those curious, if you've seen ANY of above films, post your opinion on the forum - let's discuss!!

Danae signing off!

Psychology of Television

2010-03-29T20:48:00.004-04:00

It is safe to say that I watch a lot of television. I think I watch television as a way to not just entertain myself but as a way to escape from reality. When I'm watching TV I tend to push aside my paperwork and procrastinate on working out. Or I just use it as a way to get away from my family so I don't have to deal with that. Television is a very powerful thing. Network executives know that. They know that most likely other people are using television for the same things. So they make appealing, sensationalized television for us to lose ourselves in.

Ah, the psychological power of television. Just look at the shows I watch on a regular basis. Take "Gossip Girl" for example. Are we really supposed to believe that it's perfectly okay to just run around and have sex with whoever, manipulate all situations, never go to class, spend tons of money, and have no general concern for the world? I don't think so. But this show shows us the extreme of one way of living. How many people take this show and try to live their lives like it, even if just in small ways?

Don't get me started on these reality shows that every network imaginable has. All of these "real" people put in these "real" situations so they can win ridiculous amounts of money and faux fame. Is this really what people aspire to anymore? We think that our break through to fame is through stupid "love" reality shows or doing ridiculous stunts? Are kids even getting the right message anymore?

Now don't me wrong, I watch these shows. And I find these shows entertaining because they are an escape from my life. Which I'm sure is why most other people watch these shows as well. But I find myself more and more thinking, "Why the hell are these people doing all of this?" Who really thinks that they are going to find legitimate love on "The Bachelor?" Who really thinks that they are going to have as big a career as Tyra Banks from winning "America's Next Top Model?" These things won't really happen. And if they do, it's few and far between.

Please don't think that this whole diatribe is the end of me reviewing television or that I have lost my passion for it. That is far from reality. It just seems as I am watching this television I get more and more disgusted and the state of some of it. Bring back scripted shows that don't feel like they are being pushed to the most sensational point to beat the others. Well, next update I will have more reviews on more television that I am obsessed with. So head on over to the forum and discuss what you think about the psychology of television.

Until next time kids, this has been Hava.

What's to come.....

2010-03-23T00:00:00.007-04:00

As some know, my household contains two ferocious beasts I captured in my Indiana-style adventures. One runs this territory as the aggressive, no holds barred, claw-wielding beast while the other lays back in the shadows, preferring the strong silent method - to assess and not assume, to be calm and not easily excitable. There are days where the protagonist leaps to capture its prey and his brother reaps the benefit of the his companion's work.

Sounds like a NOVA special huh? It is.... but not what you think. Minijag and Logan are my two babies... two felines that is. They do not come from African grasslands (although some days I wonder), instead they were both the result of something unfortunate - offspring of pregnant alley cats with the likelihood of a good lifestyle = slim. Providence united us and what an experience we've all had. They both amuse me, torture me and love me and I wouldn't trade any of their antics for anything else.

So why am I gabbing about them as if I am the old hag that lives in the dark house on the corner of Elm and 7th, the home to seventy+ cats, yowling a constant ringing to passerbys? I'm not that crazy lady, I promise - but I also promise that their interaction with one another stands tall amongst many the evening sitcoms. Their frolicking may not be as interesting as say 30 Rock, but deserves credit and even a comic strip they do (you must say this mimicking Yoda). You may not giggle at the thought of me writing this comic strip but a laugh is quite expected when I tell you I hope to draw it also!

For as long as it takes, I plan on learning how to draw! Okay, nothing miraculous, but I dedicate myself to trying hard and to at least give it my best. I certainly could just ask someone to complete this portion for me (as I know how many artists?!), yet selfish as it seems, I would like this to be mine(s) :) And much, much credit is due to Lee, a good friend, who has been encouraging me to get a move on as we've been exchanging hypothetical stories on how this would play out.

I have the first draft complete; all I need now are fluid hands to paint the picture.

Wish me luck (I need it)!!!

For something cute - here is a video of how awesome pets can be:

Danae signing off!

90210MG! Emily Valentine in male form!

2010-03-10T21:12:00.008-05:00

9021Oh I’ve seen this plot line before. Yes I know that shows recycle plots all the time. And it is inevitable that when you bring a show back that hasn’t been on in ten years you will have some of the same plots. But as I was watching the back from the dead 90210 Tuesday night I saw hints of Emily Valentine stalker action in Annie’s drug dealer boyfriend Jasper. Now, if you didn’t watch the original 90210 then you have no clue who Emily Valentine is. In short, she was the girlfriend of main character Brandon Walsh who went crazy, psycho stalker on him and when he tried to break up with her she called his house NON STOP and wouldn’t accept that they were broken up. Fires were threatened. That poor float. Check out the video.

Well 90210 came back Tuesday night from its winter vacation. The show was eh at best. I’m not completely in love with the reboot. They are trying though, so I’m trying to love it the way I loved original 90210. In short the story lines were guy lies to other guy so that he doesn’t get with first guy’s ex-girlfriend that he still likes. Second guy then acts like a dick to girl which makes girl go back to first guy for solace. First guy almost feels bad enough to tell girl but then doesn’t. Second plot line was guy and girl who went through ridiculous crap to be together are finally on date and it sucks. The girl’s solution is to show up at guy’s house naked. Of course guy likes it. Third plot line was parents of main characters deal with a supposed crush on husband by one of his coworkers. Turns out the woman didn’t have a crush on husband, just generally needs a man. So wife befriends woman and tries to set her up with yoga teacher only to realize teacher may actually like wife. Fourth plot line is newly sober girl tries to deal with being sober and deal with her friends who have no clue what it’s like to be a former drug addict. She finds acceptance from other classmate who just so happens to be a former drug addict, and also a lesbian. I guess we all know where that plot line is heading. Fifth plot line is group of friends try to frame drug dealer jerk who has made their lives crappy but it backfires and one of the friends gets busted by accident.

But back to what got me started on this post. The major plot line from the show was that Jasper is now crazier than we once thought. Not only is he still a drug dealer, and obviously a genius because he figured out they were trying to frame him with coke in his locker and got it in the other guy’s locker before being caught, he is breaking into Annie’s house and blackmailing her to remain his girlfriend. See, way back near the beginning of this season Annie ran over some guy with her car. She sped off and never told the police. The man was found and it became a big deal but no one ever knew it was her. Due to other circumstances Annie was shunned by all of her friends and found her way to Jasper. He loved her and became her “first.” Well, turns out the man that Annie ran over was his uncle. Now he is blackmailing her saying that if she breaks up with him he will tell the police it was her. That is where he has crept into Emily Valentine territory. Hell, he broke into her house and left flowers on her bed. He destroys someone’s car window when she tries to make him mad. He makes her kiss him before she leaves. Next thing you know he’s going to rape her. I see it coming.

I don’t think this whole plot line is going to end with a float fire and Jasper coming to his senses that he’s crazy and needs some professional help like it did with Emily. Since it is 2010 and “teen shows” have to be more salacious than the next I’m sure it’s going to get pretty gruesome. Like I mentioned before, there may be a rape in the future. There may be a serious beating and Annie ends up in the hospital. Or you never know, the show may surprise us and Jasper gets his sooner than we think. The only thing I’m sure of is that Jasper will get his in the end. The bad guys always do. I’m just curious as to how. So of course I will keep on watching this reboot and hoping that I find even just a sliver of Emily Valentine in there.

Over all I give this episode only 3 frames. The potential for Emily Valentineness gets 5 frames, but based solely on it's individual showing, it stays at 3.

Well head on over to the forum and talk about how you feel about this new 90210. Does it even hold a candle to the original? Discuss it further there.

Until next time kids, this has been Hava.

Netflix (again!)

2010-03-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

Due to the sickness (no worries, I won't pull any Daybreaker mess on you), I'm only updating this last minute. I swear, next post will be on a CURRENT movie. So I then deduced that since I'm a johnny-come-lately with the Netflixin (but a hardcore advocate and recruit.... don't I get some sort of commission or something?), I'm going to share with you what's up next in my queue.

Dexter Season 1 was a recommend by a good friend of mine. She knows my type of preferred viewership; mystery, murder, thriller, drama, dark, some humor, twisted and cleverly written. According to some of the reviews I've read and considering that the star of the series, Michael C. Hall, won a Golden Globe & Screen Actors Guild Award for this character, I'm convinced. The only downside, as with any series, is if you didn't start from when the show commenced, the task to catch up is daunting. Although not impossible with the availability with Hulu and Netflix. Starting a series, say Lost for e.g., NOW is terrifying. If Philadelphia continues to have snow like we've been having and a snow week was possible, there is hope. Regardless of how or when, you may be labeled "obsessive" or "crazy" but no one ever said you were sane. Dexter is now going on season five. Am I a tad fearful? Will those who arrive at my domicile cringe at me having not have moved for 48 hours, crumbs still on my shirt (snack for later), hair looking like Mrs. Lovett from Sweeney Todd (see below) and hissing upon a foreigners entrance? Maybe. But I have a feeling all will be worth it. There are 12 episodes per season, roughly 44 minutes without commercials, for four seasons, amounts to roughly 35 hours (a workweek). Doable, completely doable.... Pray for me...

Here's a short summary about the series that I took from imdb.com: "During the day, Dexter Morgan is a jovial employee in the Miami Metropolitan Police Department's crime lab, but his meticulously crafted life masks his true nature. In reality Dexter is a disciplined and murderous psychopath (a self-admitted "monster"), and he slakes his blood lust at night by carefully killing the serial killers he tracks down during the day. Based on the novels (Darkly Dreaming Dexter, Dearly Devoted Dexter and Dexter in the Dark) by Jeff Lindsay."

For your viewing pleasure, Mrs.Lovett:

I'm interested in what marathons you readers have had. Movies, shows, games.. What length of time was committed and what was the source of your attention? Personally, I don't have too many, but X-Files was something I could watch for hours *cough, days* and playing Mario 64. Let me know by posting below, on the main j1studios.com page or on the forum.

What have you invested hours of your life to and ended up looking like this:

Danae signing off!

Sick time TV

2010-02-25T00:27:00.004-05:00

I have seen my fair share of day time programming. And yes, I tend to watch Maury, Jerry Springer, court shows, and just recently Wendy Williams. Well I was home sick this past Tuesday and stayed true to my usual programming. I started my morning with reruns of Cheaters; then went back and forth between Maury and Wendy Williams. I unfortunately slept through half of Jerry Springer because those people were a mess. Well, they usually are. Then it was half of Maury and a rerun of TMZ. Next up Days of Our Lives, then some People’s Court, and then more Maury. I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m telling you this. I’m sharing this because it leads me into my rant on day time talk shows.

Of course I could go on and on about court shows. I do frequent Divorce Court and Judge Mathis. On occasion I will settle in for some Judge Joe Brown. And I do love my Judge Judy. But court shows don’t always provide the flair that talk shows do. Yes they can be funny but most of the time I’m just frustrated at how stupid most of these people are. If you say you watch the judge’s show all the time then you should know don’t put someone on your phone bill, or always get it in writing. It will never be different for you.

I don’t want any judging about watching Jerry Springer. Everyone knows that they have watched it and laughed at it. I don’t care if all those people on there are paid actors. It’s funny and that’s why I watch it. Jerry Springer is a genius. He has been on for something like 15 years. He knows what people want to see and he gives it to them. If people didn’t really want to watch this crap then he would have been cancelled a long time ago. Face facts folks, you watch it, I watch it, everyone watches it. It’s not going anywhere until Jerry wants to quit.

My recent addition has been Wendy Williams. I use to listen to her from time to time when she was on the radio. When they finally started showing her talk show in Philly I didn’t watch it. What made me start watching it was the show The Soup. When the host, Joel McHale, would make fun of the show I just had to see if her show was really as crazy as he made it out to be. Sometimes it is. What I like about her is that she knows who she is and she is exactly that. She doesn’t try to amp it up or tone it down for television. I appreciate that. Her show is fun and she has some good guests and performances.

That brings me to my staple in my day time TV watching, Maury. He usually has to the same five topics on his show: paternity tests, lie detector tests, bad ignorant ass little girls, look at me now that I’m hot, and anything caught on tape. There is the occasional other show thrown in there but those are the main five topics you will see. The most seen is the paternity test show. I always find that I am shaking my head the hardest at those shows. This leads into my main rant of this entry:

Why do these girls on Maury always start downing the men that they are saying are their baby’s father? Clearly they were some kind of special at one point that you wanted to have sex with them. I always think it’s funny that the first thing they go after is how if they have a son the baby has the same small penis as the supposed father. Um, duh. Of course a baby is going to have a small penis. And if this man had such a small penis what were you doing having sex with them repeatedly? Obviously they knew how to use it so why make fun of it now? Also, when these men say that they think they aren’t the father because the girl slept around, they could be lying just to back up why they don’t want to be the dad. But girls, don’t think that when he is proven to be the father that it proves you weren’t sleeping with all these other men. It just means that he was the one to get you pregnant. I think Maury should do lie detector tests on all of the females that are accused of sleeping around so that the man can have some validation if they really were cheating. I have some helpful tips for the women that go on Maury to determine paternity of their children. A) Don’t start spouting off that you are a million percent sure that he is the father. Especially if you know you slept with other people in at least one month before or after you think the baby was conceived. Nine times out of ten he’s not going to be. 2) Be honest. If you slept with other guys just admit it outright so you don’t look like a whore later if he is proven to not be the father. C) DON’T RUN OFF THE STAGE! Do you know how stupid you look running off the stage after it’s shown he’s not the father? The answer to that is very stupid. 4) If he isn’t the father of your children, apologize for the mistake and keep it moving. And E) If the first guy isn’t proven to be the father don’t come back on the show 10 more times with all these other men. Come back one more time with all of the men. You may think it looks bad that you have all these men there at once, but it will look a lot less bad then repeatedly coming back. And again, go back to tip number one ladies. Okay you really thought that first guy was the father. Well, if you were proven wrong don’t come back and say you are 1000% sure of this new guy too. Just say you think he may be the father and let it be especially if you know you slept with other guys.

(Sorry for the poor quality of the video. But you get the point.)

But I digress. So the next time I’m home from work for whatever reason you can be sure that I will be watching a mix of all of those shows and enjoying all of them. I know I’m not the only one. Go to the forum and discuss your favorite daytime TV programs. I want complete honesty too.

Until next time kids, this has been Hava!

Netflix is keeping me up!

2010-02-18T00:00:00.003-05:00

I happily joined Netflix roughly a month ago and now have a plethora of mind numbing action, horror, drama, comedy and dare I say just a smidget of romance available to me. (I'll not dare offer that last one up as a review often). My list consists of a minimum of 75 films I've noted due to either positive reviews or some interesting context. Here are some of what have I seen so far....

25th Hour

The star is a solid actor having played in Fight Club, The Italian Job, The Illusionist, American History X (in the queue!!) and Red Dragon. Montgomery (Ed Norton) has 24 hours until he is due to serve a seven year prison term. Relayed is the turmoil he goes through in facing what is to happen to him once he's incarcerated and the road to arriving at that grim reality. His childhood buddies, Jacob (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Frank (Barry Pepper) are part of this countdown along with his girlfriend Naturelle Riviera (Rosario Dawson). The unique relationship between friends creates anticipation as to what he has planned when they gather for their last evening out together. Montgomery's disturbingly calm reserve is not unlike him but the circumstance dares you to wonder how he plans on leaving the world as he knows it. A deceivingly exciting film. Gets a four out of five frames.

Trainspotting

Saw this on a list of films that were cult classics and decided to give it a shot.

Mark (Ewan McGregor) and all his friends have a common vice: heroin. Each with all their own passions and oddities, they go about with their theories on how typical society are as drones in their 9-to-5, two-parent, three and a half kids families, not really living a life, jut following the trend of what's expected, lifestyle. A false sense of immortality must exist as they are reckless and irresponsible. There are some amusing (and terrifying) "highs" and also an ending to entertain. Nothing is glorified and it is most definitely not a sight for everyone. Yet I found it not as depressing, thank goodness, as Requiem for a Dream. This gets a three out of five frames.

(500) days of Summer

I told you I would save you from romance cutesy mess but this is different. Anyone that knows me knows I am not your average girl. If a romantic comedy has been seen by me it must've either been highly recommended or I was drugged. This isn't a romance story (although it contains romance) nor a comedy (and yes, has some funny scenes) but it is a story about what so many relationships go through; one wants one thing out of the exchange and the other desires something quite different. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt who plays Tom and Zooey Deschanel who plays Summer Finn, the roles played are not what's expected. Can't give too much away as you need to see to appreciate. The joy and frustrations are what we can all relate to in some way. The composition of scenes and artistry of every transition is laudable. Highly recommend and I give this a four out of five frames.

Any film recomendations??? Let me know via email or on the blog.

Danae signing off!

SNOW DAY! Wait, the news is on?!

2010-02-10T23:38:00.004-05:00

So if you live in the PA, NJ, DE, NY area right about now you have TONS of snow outside your window. Most likely you had off from work Wednesday and if you are even luckier you have off today as well. Well, I'm one of those lucky people to not have to go to work. So I think that I can just hunker down in front of the television and catch up on some good ol' day time TV. Maybe watch my soaps, some Ellen, any court show. Silly me though. How could I have thought I would get to see any of that when there is all this weather going on outside my door.

If you haven't guessed it I'm referring to the constant snowpocolypse coverage on all of the major networks. It's like they read my mind on what I wanted to watch today and they did the exact opposite. Who really wants to sit there and watch the news ALL DAY LONG report on how much snow is falling from the sky? We have windows. We can see what's going on out there. How much can you really say about the weather? Now, I can understand a weather and traffic update every hour. I will even accept every half hour. If something major happens then you can break into my regularly scheduled programming to report on it. But I don't think you have to blather on repeatedly about the same thing and talking to the same people.

Now I'm sure you're wondering why I didn't just switch to a cable channel and call it a day. Well, I did. But see, that's not the point. Not everyone has cable. And there isn't always something to watch on cable. Today, it was slim pickings for a while. Also, when you have your heart set on watching your soap, mine is Days of Our Lives, or watching Ellen, beautiful Channing Tatum was supposed to be on today, you are let down when you turn on the channel and there is some fool news reporter standing outside in this blizzard talking about how cold and snowy and windy it is out there. Um, duh!

We get it CBS, ABC, NBC, and FOX! You don't have to tell us from 5am to 8pm about what's going on outside of our houses. We all went out and shoveled the snow to no avail at some point today. We all can look out the window at what's going on out there. I'm letting you know now all major networks that if I'm subjected to the same thing today someone will be getting a very angry email. I am lucky enough to have off from work and I would like to watch my Days of Our Lives and my court shows on FOX. If I am deprived of this for a second day I cannot be held accountable for my actions. I might just have to go outside, pick up a stick with a spoon like apparatus attached to the end of it, and start throwing snow around with it, ultimately leaving a clear path from my door to the sidewalk and then to the street. I know. It could get serious.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/video.

Enjoy the snow everyone! Until next time kids, this has been Hava!

the LOST and found....

2010-02-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

So I know some of you had to have seen the Season 6 Premiere of Lost. I know it's only been on hiatus for a century but the addict that = us, can't stay away nor stop thinking about it. Just writing this has me maddened enough to re-watch all five seasons and the season six premiere, eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!

There are numerous theories about exactly what last night represented. Although I like "smart" shows, when it comes to recalling even the most minor elements of what I've just seen, I fail miserably. (Thus why I must go back to watch the first five seasons again, dare I say all within three weeks?) I do not have many theories as I'm lucky to remember my name, Hava is it.... Wait, where was I? So I repeat, while I don't have many theories, yet the one I was convinced of post-experience was that the bomb that Juliet set off, split them into an alternate reality. The idea that every decision you make changes things and those results can branch out into an alternate set of circumstances. Another very popular opinion was that the bomb set off exactly what they desired: to go back in time with the plane never having crashed (this being confirmed by Juliet's "It worked"). We are seeing the past and what happens when/if the plane lands while simultaneously seeing the Flight 815 occupants still in the island after the explosion. So what's next for the now lucky Hurley and the seemingly misplaced Desmond. Are they still destined to be on the island? If so, what will bring them back and why are they destined to exist there?

I'm so excited to find out (hopefully) answers to so many questions, one of which is: why Jacob/"unknown dude on the beach that people are calling Esau" have this rivalry/animosity and what do they want with everyone?

This link brings up some really good theories. One guy's summary (Ryan McKee) was awesome - how do you sum up five seasons in a paragraph? He tried and it's an admirable attempt!(Don't know if correct but what is correct when it comes to Lost?)

http://insidetv.aol.com/2010/02/03/lost-season-6-theories-wtf-is-going-on/

Here's one of the numerous promos for season six:

Any credible theories guys? I'm going to aim to watch at lease the first season by next week!!!

Go to the forum to advise: are you Lost or do you have the answers?

Danae signing off

sources: www.youtube.com
www.insidetv.aol.com

He can suck on my neck any time

2010-01-27T22:36:00.003-05:00

Vampire Diaries
Channel: CW (check your local listings)
Day/Time: Thursdays at 8pm

Oh vampires, how we have long suffered for your mysterious beauty and youthful good looks. Going back to Dracula to Anne Rice novels all the way up to, yes, the Twilight phenomenon (throwing up a little in my mouth). Humans have had a fascination with vampires for centuries. This post isn’t going to be about the history of that. This post is going to examine one of the newest vampire shows to the boob tube, “The Vampire Diaries.”

I didn’t get into this show at first. But I caught up through some reruns and I was hooked. I’m not saying it’s the best acted or written show on television today. On the contrary, the dialogue can be quite cheesy at times. They do have some obvious plot lines as well. However, I have been pleasantly surprised with some of the twists and new characters that are brought in that are obviously vital to the story but you aren’t sure how yet. I like that they aren’t afraid to kill off people. Yes, I know, it’s a show about vampires so it stands to reason that people are going to die because one of them is going to bite them on the neck. It’s the choice of who dies that is pretty interesting. You would think you would keep around some of these people for at least a little longer.

I have to say that the vampires on this show are a HELL OF A LOT HOTTER than the ones in “Twilight.” Seriously people, what is sexy about an unwashed, grungy, dirty looking guy? He doesn’t even have a face where you could gaze into it and forgive him for not showering for half a century. Now Stefan and Damon (the two main male roles that are vampires) on the other hand are totally swoon worthy. They have the dark brooding good looks that you had with Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in “Interview with a Vampire.” They make you want to stare at them all day and if they ask to nibble on your neck you gladly oblige and ask them to be gentle. Those two have the heated, bitter brotherly relationship that everyone wants to see because it gives you the bad guy (Damon) and the sweet, sensitive one (Stefan).

The female leads are pretty good too. They have a former “Degrassi”-ite as the lead, Elena. She is good. Very well acted sweetie. I like the character too. She’s got a hard time at home with her parents newly dead and now she falls for the new hottie in town, Stefan, who seems to only have eyes for her. Eventually we are led down the path to find out more about her and why she is so connected to Stefan but they didn’t make it that easy. I have to say I was a little surprised by the most recent wrench in the system that was in the latest episode. The other girls that are Elena’s friends are interesting as well. We have a witch, Bonnie, and a seemingly ditzy blonde, Caroline. We also find out that there is more to them than once meets the eye. Bonnie is also well played. Her character must have it hard realizing that it’s all on her to release some very important people that just happen to be vampires that have been trapped for centuries. I know that sounds confusing, but you need to watch the show to fully get it. And Caroline really isn’t just some ditzy blonde. I feel for the girl. She really just wants to be liked by everyone, especially by her mother, and she does whatever to make that happen. I’m waiting for the girl to have the realization that she is wonderful just being her.

I do realize that I haven’t really explained the whole plot of the show except that it’s about beautiful vampires and non-vampires who have intertwining lives. I know I normally do. But I think I’m going to leave this up to you guys to go back and watch it. It’s really worth it to watch this one from the beginning. I know they have full episodes up at www.cwtv.com. I’m sure you can youtube it also to find the episodes. Do it, you’ll thank me later. I’m eager to see what else is going to develop on this show. I hope that Stefan and Elena can make it work and that we finally figure out if those old, trapped below a church vampires are really still alive and if they are going to get out. And who the hell is this weird guy who got hit by the car? So many questions for just one episode a week!

I'm giving this show and their incredibly hot vampires 4 1/5 frames

Here is the preview for the upcoming episode set to air today:

Until next time kids, this has been Hava!